DEPUTY speaker Nga Kor Ming has assured the opposition he will be “strict and fair” in the Dewan Rakyat to both sides.

In his first statement as deputy speaker, he warned that he would have no qualms about ejecting or suspending MPs who failed to observe parliamentary conventions.

“I want to stress that as part of the parliamentary reform, I will try to give ample room to all MPs to speak and ask questions in the House.

“But anyone who deliberately tries to cause disruption in the House or uses foul language that goes against parliamentary convention, I will use the authority bestowed on me to eject or even suspend the MP,” he said.

Nga, who is the DAP Teluk Intan member, also warned MPs against making racist remarks or use religion for their own agenda.

“Malaysia belongs to all of us. Appreciate our different races and cultures. Don’t forget (the slogan) Malaysia truly Asia.

“Remind ourselves that diversity is our strength, and unity in diversity is our pillar,” he said.

Nga read out his statement today after opposition leader Ahmad Zahid Hamidi ended debating the royal address.

Nga said MPs should ask themselves whether what they said in Parliament brought good to the people and the country.

“Are your words and conduct in the House making the constituents represented by you proud or ashamed? Are your speeches based on facts and statistics, or just empty rhetorics.

“I also hope you all will cooperate with the speaker to ensure the sitting proceeds smoothly. Don’t forget the people are watching us.

“MPs should give their views and criticism prudently, courteously and with wisdom so that the Parliament institution can continue to be highly-regarded by the people and the world.”

Many had wondered how Nga, known for his sharp tongue and occasional harsh language against BN, would fare as deputy speaker of the Dewan Rakyat.

Today, Nga showed that he could calmly handle fiery debates and arguments involving hotheaded bickering MPs.

He told off his own DAP colleague RSN Rayer, the Jelutong MP, for interrupting BN’s Pasir Salak MP Tajudin Abdul Rahman when the floor was not his.

Tajudin was talking about the previous BN government taking loans for development projects good for the nation’s growth when Rayer butted in to ask if money spent on the super yacht Equanimity and diamond rings were also for development.

Rayer’s remark on the yacht and jewellery referred to luxury assets allegedly bought using money siphoned out of the government’s sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad. Former prime minister Najib Razak is implicated in the scandal.

“I will be fair to both sides. The floor belongs to Pasir Salak, who has Bagan Datuk’s (Zahid’s) permission to interject,” Nga said.

“Pasir Salak, don’t abuse the opportunity to start your own debate.”

He earlier told Tajudin to just get on with his question and not to waste time, after the latter congratulated him on his appointment as deputy speaker and said they should let bygones be bygones.

When the sitting was briefly disrupted after Pakatan Harapan MPs accused Zahid of using the work “munafik” to imply Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had lied and failed to deliver promises made by PH in its election manifesto, Nga also put his foot down.

He did not side with his PH colleagues but accepted Zahid’s explanation that the remark was made in general, and not aimed at anyone. – July 19, 2018.