Perak Opposition walk out of assembly after rep booted for disturbance

IPOH, Nov 27 — Pasir Pinji assemblyman Howard Lee Chuan How was ejected from the state assembly here today after a row erupted during proceedings, leading to a walkout by his fellow Opposition colleagues.

The DAP man was also suspended from his assemblyman duties for the duration of the sitting by Speaker Datuk S. Thangasvari over his conduct.

The motion to eject Lee was raised by Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Kamunting assemblyman Datuk Mohd Zahir Abdul Khalid and seconded by his colleague, Kenering assemblyman Datuk Mohd Tarmizi Idris.

The commotion started after Lee tried to refer Slim River assemblyman Datuk Mohd Khusairi Abdul Talib to the Rights and Privileges Committee for using profanities against him and the Opposition during last Friday’s sitting.

According to Lee, Khusairi called him and his opposition colleagues “p******” during the debate.

Lee's attempts to table the motion triggered a drawn-out shouting match among the lawmakers.

At this time, Thangasvari was heard repeatedly telling Lee and the other assemblymen to sit down.

The Speaker then judged Lee to have behaved in a disorderly manner and ordered him to leave the House, prompting his Pakatan Harapan colleagues to also exit.

At a press conference later, Lee said the incident was a gross reversal of democracy.

“Why was there a fear to refer Khusairi to the committee when this is provided for under the Standing Orders?

“I heard the remark and it was even reported in Chinese dailies,” he said.

Lee claimed he had followed Thangasvari's orders by sitting down whenever she asked him to do so.

“She called me a stubborn boy, which is an insult. The Speaker is not beyond human standards or the Standing Orders.

“I worry that this will be the norm in the future when voices are silenced,” he added.

Perak DAP chairman Nga Kor Ming called for Thangasvari to step down following the incident.

“The Pasir Pinji assemblyman followed the rules when he asked for Khusairi to be referred to the Rights and Privileges committee. He did nothing wrong.

“The Speaker should resign because she has brought shame to this august hall,” Nga said.