KUALA LUMPUR - The opposition's attempt to block the motion to suspend Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayshal Wan Ahmad Kamal from attending Dewan Rakyat sessions for six months failed when the division vote did not favour them.
The motion, read by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, followed allegations by Wan Ahmad Fayshal regarding an anonymous letter purportedly containing information about the mastermind behind the takeover of Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB).
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said that based on the vote, 110 MPs agreed with the motion, 63 disagreed, three abstained and 46 were absent.
"The result is that YB Machang is suspended starting today for six months," he said in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday.
Immediately after the decision was announced, opposition MPs recited the Qunut Nazilah prayer, led by Zulkifli Ismail (PN-Jasin).
When presenting the motion, Azalina said that on July 1, Wan Ahmad Fayshal publicly named the individuals involved, whom he alleged to be senior officers of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
She added that MPs were not allowed to mention the behaviour or attributes of any government officials except in the course of their duties as government officials.
"Our responsibility is to make laws, not to talk about anonymous letters. If we don't set a precedent, we will open up a culture (of anonymous letters) by both the government and the opposition," she said.
Previously, the Dewan Rakyat was in turmoil for about half an hour as the motion was debated by representatives of the opposition and government blocks.
Beluran MP Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee interjected, arguing that the motion presented by Azalina was flawed, citing Standing Order 36(9) and Article 132 of the Federal Constitution regarding the definition of public service personnel.
He added that the EPF officer mentioned by Wan Ahmad Fayshal did not fall into the category of civil servants.
"The essence that the Speaker needs to see is whether EPF is considered a government officer? EPF was established through the Employees Provident Fund Act 1991 (Act 452).
"EPF is not included in the definition of government officers in Article 132 of the Federal Constitution.
"Therefore, this motion needs to be withdrawn as it is 'defective'. Tan Sri (Johari), we are dealing with legal matters.
"If there is a motion from the executive, Tan Sri must assess and scrutinise it. If it is 'defective', it needs to be rejected," he said.
PH MP Hassan Abdul Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) also interjected, requesting Johari to give Wan Ahmad Fayshal a chance to defend himself.
"A decision that does not give the accused the right to respond is unjust... the rights of an MP... he is elected by his people," he said.
Azli Yusof (PH-Shah Alam) debated that Wan Ahmad Fayshal's use of inaccurate information from an anonymous letter tarnished the honour of the Dewan Rakyat.
"The anonymous letter, allegedly obtained from EPF staff, affects the dignity, credibility, and integrity of those working in government agencies and statutory bodies," he said.