PKR MP Surendran says will not be cowed ahead of motion on his suspension tomorrow
(TMI) – Putrajaya is moving a motion to suspend vocal PKR Padang Serai MP N. Surendran for six months for insulting Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, the first since the Parliament convened after the 13th general election.
Surendran said it was an attempt by BN to intimidate him.
“I will not buckle or hesitate despite this outrageous attempt. This is a ridiculous and extreme motion,” said the PKR vice-president.
“I want to ask, is the Speaker above criticism?”
Surendran said he had not committed any offence except to criticise the Speaker.
“This is an attempt to stifle my voice and I will defend myself,” he said.
The motion, to be moved by one of the Ministers in the Prime Minister’s Department this evening, was placed on all the 222 MPs’ tables in the Dewan Rakyat.
It said Surendran accused Pandikar of being “biased” and telling “complete and utter lies” during a press conference at the Parliament lobby yesterday.
“The accusation is an insult to the Speaker who has carried out his duties as the chairman of the House and this has also soiled the name and prestige of the Dewan Rakyat,” read the motion.
Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee said the motion will be debated tomorrow. Due to its bigger presence, Barisan Nasional, with 133 MPs, is expected to be able to pass the motion.
Yesterday, Surendran was thrown out of Parliament for the second time for trying to push through an emergency motion over the demolition of the 101-year-old Sri Muneswarar Kaliyaman Hindu temple in the city centre.
Pandikar rejected the motion on technical grounds. When Surendran tried to argue his decision, he was ejected from the Chambers.
Earlier, Surendran was ejected from the Parliament for attempting to bring an emergency motion about a custodial death case involving P. Karuna Nithi.
Three years ago, Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh, Subang MP R. Sivarasa and Gombak MP Azmin Ali were suspended for six months for a charge of misleading members in a row over a national unity slogan.
The motion was passed without debate as the opposition bloc boycotted proceedings.
