PAS MP expelled after Dewan uproar over Islamophobia

November 7, 2023

PAS MP expelled after Dewan uproar over Islamophobia

KUALA LUMPUR: Pengkalan Chepa MP Ahmad Marzuk Shaary became the third MP to be ejected from the Dewan Rakyat today, after he refused to retract his claim that a Facebook posting by minister Nga Kor Ming reeked of Islamophobia.

Marzuk, of PAS, had earlier interrupted religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar who was winding up the debate on the ministry’s 2024 budget vote.

Marzuk asked Na’im if the ministry was going to explain Islam to prevent Islamophobia among the public.

“Islamophobia stems from misconceptions and lack of understanding, not only among the general public but also among ministers like Teluk Intan,” he said, referring to Nga Kor Ming, the MP for Teluk Intan, who is minister for local government development.

Marzuk said Nga had made several postings mentioning the Taliban. “Will the minister be educating the Cabinet on Islam?” Marzuk said.

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His remarks led to a heated exchange of words after Howard Lee (PH – Ipoh Timor) and several other MPs from DAP stood up to demand a retraction by Marzuk. “This is a malicious accusation, please retract it,” Lee said.

However, Marzuk denied insulting Nga, saying he was merely referring to a social media post by Nga on Oct 28 in which “Nga said that schools were no place for ‘conflict, extremism and terrorism’” in referring to activities for Palestine Solidarity Week.

Marzuk termed it a misunderstanding. He said the clothes worn by teachers and pupils in a photograph mentioned by Nga had depicted the outfit worn by Palestine fighters demanding independence.

The deputy speaker, Alice Lau, then instructed Marzuk to retract his statement but he refused, arguing that the demand for a retraction of his statement did not specify what exactly they wanted him to retract. He also took a swipe at Lee for being rude.

“I have every right to disagree with the speaker’s ruling. I won’t retract the statement and I will table a motion,” he said.

Marzuk was then asked to leave the chamber and told to submit a motion if he was dissatisfied with the ruling.

Earlier today, Parit Buntar MP Misbahul Munir Masduki of PN and Hulu Langat MP Sany Hamzan of Pakatan Harapan were ejected from the House after they got into a heated argument over an alleged ban on “takbir”‘ chants in school.