SPEAKER Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof upheld the ruling against Noh Omar and restored order in the Dewan Rakyat after the opposition disrupted proceeding thrice over the Tanjung Karang MP’s suspension.

The speaker was able to calm the situation with a 15-minute break at 3.05pm after giving Noh the chance to defend himself.

“I’m now giving you a chance to defend yourself,” said Ariff at the start of the proceedings at 2.30pm.

But instead of defending his remarks, Noh tried to contest deputy speaker Nga Kor Ming’s decision to suspend him for three days on the technicalities of the Standing Orders.

“If he had suspended me yesterday, I would have accepted it. But he did it a day later, when I was not in the House. And he should have allowed a minister to table a motion before suspending me as stated in the Standing Orders Rule 44(3),” said Noh.

After listening to Noh’s explanation, Ariff asked if he had made the remarks against Nga yesterday. 

“I do not deny the remarks,” said the Umno supreme council member.

“With that, I have decided that the ruling this morning (to suspend Noh for three days) stands. My decision is final.

“Your remarks (as shown in the Hansard) challenges the integrity of the speaker and an affront to the House. Your challenge against the deputy speaker (Nga) should be made outside of this House,” said Ariff.

Opposition leader Ismail Sabri (Bera-BN) attempted to intervene on Noh’s behalf.

“Will the speaker change his ruling if Noh retract his remarks?”

Ariff replied: “I’ve read the Hansard and what he has done is a direct challenge to the position of the speaker. Enough is enough and my decision is final.”

The speaker then called for a 15-minute recess after Noh refused to leave the House despite the intervention of the sergeant-at-arms.

In the lobby, Noh told reporters that he decided not to return to the House today because he respected Ariff’s decision. 

“I respect his decision but I will not retract my statement that Teluk Intan MP (Nga) is not fit to be a speaker,” said Noh. 

Debates resumed at 3.05pm without any further incidents. – March 19, 2019.