Thursday November 22, 2007
KOTA BARU: The third day of the State Assembly sitting turned chaotic when Datuk Nozula Mat Diah (BN – Paloh) was suspended by the Speaker, resulting in a walkout by Barisan Nasional assemblymen.
This is the first time that an assemblyman here has faced such an action.
Speaker Datuk Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Abdullah suspended Nozula after he refused to sit down and insisted on participating in the debate on the royal address.
Wan Abdul Rahim had earlier called upon Mohd Zain Ismail (BN – Bukit Teku) to begin speaking but Nozula, who stood up first, requested for the right to speak.
“I have come from very far, from Gua Musang, to speak and for the last two days, you've denied me my right. I refuse to sit down as the Speaker has been most unfair,” Nozula shouted.
Wan Abdul Rahim then invoked Standing Orders Rule 51.3 which states that all members of the House must respectfully obey the orders of the Speaker.
Following a motion to suspend Nozula, 23 members – all from PAS – voted in favour, with the 21 Barisan Nasional members present opposing. The Barisan members then staged a walkout.
Nozula's suspension will last until Tuesday when this sitting ends.
Wan Abdul Rahim then allowed proceedings to continue with only the PAS members in the House.
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