Speaker boots out DAP MP Ramkarpal from Dewan Rakyat

KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — DAP’s Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh became the first lawmaker to be ejected from the 14th Parliament, after a fracas over his “gangster” remark against Umno Youth members this morning.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof, who returned to the lower House in the afternoon session, insisted that Ramkarpal needs to retract his remark.

He ejected Ramkarpal from the House when the latter again refused to withdraw his remark.

“The House order of business needs to continue, please retract your statement,” Ariff said.

Ramkarpal said that he would not, with “all due respect”, retract his remarks.

“Bailiffs, please do your duty,” Ariff said, calling on the officers in the Dewan Rakyat to escort Ramkarpal out.

Pakatan Harapan MPs then arose and demanded that Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (Umno) also be expelled for calling Jelutong MP RSN Rayer (DAP) a “gangster” earlier.

Batu Kawan MP Kasthuriraani Patto (DAP) was among those who told Ariff to be fair.

When Bung Moktar tried to retract his remark, another shouting match ensued.

“How am I supposed to retract my statement when I can’t get a word in?” Bung Moktar asked.

“Kinabatangan, will you retract?” Ariff insisted.

“I want to retract, I am retracting, I am obedient to the Speaker’s instructions,” said Bung Moktar.

The entire exchange took up one hour before the lunch break and exhausted the time allocated for Sungai Petani MP Datuk Johari Abdul’s debate on the royal address.

It was only resolved around 20 minutes after the sitting resumed.

Ariff did not say how long Ramkarpal is barred from the Lower House.