DUN Speaker orders parts of Pending rep's speech expunged from Hansard for breaching Standing Orders
KUCHING (May 22): State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar today ordered several parts of Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong's speech to be expunged from the official Hansard.
The ruling was made in response to Yong's speech during the motion of appreciation for the Governor's address on Wednesday, which contained two 'pantun' references found to contravene Standing Orders 32(4), 32(5), and 32(6) concerning the use of names, improper imputations, and offensive language.
'Under Standing Order 32(6), no member shall impute improper motives to any other member or make any statement of allegation which the said member is not prepared to substantiate.
'Standing Order 32(4) prohibits the use of offensive or insulting language against fellow members, while Standing Order 32(5) bars members from referring to one another by name during debates.
'You are using his name, which violates Standing Order 32(5), while 32(6) covers improper motive and 32(4) is for insulting language,' said Mohamad Asfia.
The ruling came after Tupong assemblyman Dato Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman raised the matter during the sitting today, citing a breach of Standing Order 32(6).
Fazzrudin said Yong's remarks appeared to impute improper motives and make unsubstantiated allegations, contrary to the decorum expected in the august House.
'I would like to reiterate my objection under Standing Order 32, specifically concerning certain remarks made by YB Pending, which, in my view, fall squarely within the scope of Standing Order 32(6),' he said.
Fazzrudin said Yong's references, while indirect, were suggestive and easily understood by the public as alluding to specific individuals.
'Although YB Pending may argue that these terms were not directly aimed at any individual, it is evident, particularly from the perspective of the layperson, that such language is suggestive and alludes to a specific person,' he said.
Mohamad Asfia then ordered the DUN Secretary to expunge the relevant portions of Yong's speech from pages 62, 63, and 64 of the Hansard.
Yong, meanwhile, withdrew her two 'pantun' during the sitting.
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