Anti-Fake News bill debate causes uproar in parliament

(Berita Daily) – Deputy Agriculture and Agro Industries Minister Tajuddin Rahman,  who is also Pasir Salak MP, led Barisan Nasional (BN) backbenchers in heckling the opposition lawmakers while debating the Anti-Fake News Bill.

Muhyiddin Yassin (Pagoh-PPBM) started the debate session by questioning how one decides fake news in the case of Wall Street Journal reports which were based on US Department of Justice’s probe on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) funds that were allegedly siphoned out.

“I asked the Prime Minister where he received the RM2.6 billion from. He said it was from a Saudi donor but the Wall Street Journal based on US DOJ reports stated that the funds were siphoned out from 1MDB.

“It contradicts with Prime Minister’s explanation. Can they be charged?” said Muhyiddin.

“The law can be enforced abroad. The DOJ report connected the funds to money laundering activities of billions to 1MDB. Where is the rule of law in Malaysia?

“Who is Jho Low? Who is Riza Aziz? Worse still our friend on the other side identified MO1 as Prime Minister,” he said in reference to Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

Tajuddin who was allowed to be intervened by Muhyiddin initially stressed the need to follow the law of the land.

“He raised accusation against the prime minster on the probe. Which law Malaysia has? Let the law of the land take its course. Do we let this happen?”

This prompted Lim Lip Eng to ask whether Tajuddin was asking for an explanation or giving a speech.

“What the heck? Who the heck are you?” Tajuddin responded.

He also trained his guns at Muhyiddin.

“I respect you. Don’t cause me to lose my respect for you even though you are on the side. Go to hell,” Tajuddin said over the accusation made by Muhyiddin earlier.

This led to a shouting match involving Tajuddin, G Manivannan (Kapar-PKR) and Lim Lip Eng (Segambut-DAP).

“I can opt to tell you all to rest for the day,” deputy speaker Ismail Said ruled.

Tajuddin then countered Muhyiddin.

“Do you know what you are talking about? It is a big issue for backbenchers too. The PAC probed the matter with reps from your side,” he said referring to the Public Accounts Committee.

“What did you do in PAC?” Tajuddin asked Tony Pua (PJ-Utara-DAP) who is also PAC member.

“I will answer later,” responded Pua.

Then another altercation took place as Tajuddin and suspended MP Lim Kit Siang (Gelang Patah-DAP) went into a shouting match challenging each other to ‘get out’.

Azeez Rahim (Baling -Umno) also joined Tajuddin in the shouting match.

Deputy speaker Ismail Said then warned Lim against challenging the speaker’s decision but allowed Tajuddin to go scot free.

Ramkarpal Singh (Bukit Gelugor-DAP) raised a point of order that forbids members from interrupting against Tajuddin while being heckled by Azeez.

“This is double standard. Gelang Patah is still here,” Azeez shouted repeatedly.

“Do a ruling against Pasir Salak,” he shouted several times

Gobind Singh Deo (Puchong -DAP) was allowed to intervene by Muhyiddin who then raised one point.

“Section 11 provides prosecution powers with the written consent of prosecutors. There are reports abroad on 1MDB. The report has credibility but prosecutor doesn’t want to take action.”

“You are raising the same point only,” Tajuddin interjected.

This led to Gobind and Tajuddin to have a verbal altercation.

“You are a stupid person. I don’t want to engage with you,” Gobind said.

“Do you think you are so clever?” Tajuddin responded.

Gobind then put his point forward.

“If the prosecutor makes fake news, who takes action?”

Muhyiddin agreed to the point raised by Gobind after Ismail called for calm.