Parliament adjourns due to shouting match

KUALA LUMPUR: Parliament proceedings on Tuesday have been adjourned by Deputy Speaker Alice Lau following a lengthy shouting match by MPs across the divide.

Several MPs were heard shouting on the microphones towards each other over issues involving the sale of Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad’s (MAHB) shares to foreign entities and a controversy involving a gold mining company in Kelantan.

Lau, who was visibly irritated, then proceeded to cut short Parliament proceedings on Tuesday (July 2) evening.

“I feel that MPs are disinterested in debating. So, MPs, the proceedings here will be postponed until 10am, July 3rd,” said Alice in Parliament.

The issue began when RSN Rayer (Pakatan Harapan-Jelutong) debated on the Audit (Amendment) Bill 2024, where he spoke about alleged gold mining activities threatening the habitat of wildlife in Kelantan.

But, Rayer’s remarks weren't well-received by Opposition MPs, who later stood up and told the DAP lawmaker not to stray away from the debate topic.

“What was mentioned by Rayer has nothing to do with the Audit (Amendment) Bill 2024. If that’s the case, then we should also audit the tunnel,” said Datuk Awang Hashim (Perikatan Nasional-Pendang).

Rayer then explained that he wanted the company behind the gold mining project in Kelantan to be audited by the Auditor General after this bill was passed.

“We want to know whether public funds were used,” added Rayer.

But, Rayer’s explanation was met with jeers by MPs and his speech was cut short by Lau after his five-minute time was up.

Lau then invited Awang to deliver his speech on the Audit (Amendment) Bill 2024, to which the PAS MP spoke about the issue of MAHB shares being sold to a foreign entity.

“Public funds had created MAHB and that is why it has to be investigated. Why are we selling shares to foreign entities?” asked Awang.

Tan Kar Hing (Pakatan Harapan-Gopeng) then tried to interrupt Awang, but he was cut short by Lau who also warned him.

Several backbencher MPs were heard asking whether Awang understood the intricacies behind the sale of MAHB shares to foreign entities.

Khoo Poay Tiong (Pakatan Harapan-Kota Melaka) then raised Standing Order 36(6), saying that MPs are not allowed to impute improper motives to any other member.

Lau then asked Awang to repeat what he said earlier, to which the PAS MP said he was merely saying that MAHB should be audited once the Audit (Amendment) Bill 2024 was passed.

A shouting match then ensued between MPs from both sides of the divide until Lau interrupted again.

“Pendang’s speech time has ended. Too bad,” said Lau briefly.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had said talks of the sale of MAHB to a foreign company which is to be taken over by investment giant BlackRock is a false narrative created by the Opposition.