Tajuddin’s fate to be decided today

KUALA LUMPUR – The decision of whether Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman will face the music after he allegedly used vulgar comments in the Dewan Rakyat will be made today.

Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon said his party was in the midst of examining the letter sent by opposition representatives regarding the issue.

“I received the letter and the Speaker (Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun) asked me to handle it. I just received the letter and it’s in progress.

“Some of the witnesses have been called and I will make a decision and give an answer this week or tomorrow at the latest,” he said at Dewan Rakyat here yesterday as he responded to a question raised by Kasthuriraani Patto (PH-Batu Kawan).

Kasthuriraani had raised up the issue as she claimed that Rashid was not taking the claims seriously.

“I sent a letter asking the Speaker to call Pasir Salak MP to apologise and withdraw the use of vulgar words in the Dewan Rakyat.

“I am surprised by the indecent and unacceptable behaviour by any member of parliament.

“The Speaker let Pasir Salak go just like that, simply with a warning. I feel disappointed with the decision made and nine MPs witnessed Pasir Salak (Tajuddin)’s use of vulgar words while his microphone was turned off.

“So, the proof whether the microphone was turned on or not, it happened,” she said.

She added the case reflected that the Dewan Rakyat ignored such issues when the oppositions brought it up.

“This is not a one-time event, but a recurring one. If the Speaker does not use his position to take strict action against Pasir Salak (Tajuddin), then this will be a bad example in history,” he said.

On Thursday, Azhar Azizan was reported saying the Dewan Rakyat was looking into the matter before they made any decision towards Tajuddin, who allegedly uttered abusive and obscene remarks during the sitting.

During the tabling of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill, Tajuddin claimed female DAP MPs were ‘vulgar’, causing an uproar among the MPs.

The incident took place after he and two other government MPs were called out for being sexist for making statements about women elected representatives in the Dewan Rakyat.

Tajuddin claimed that those calling him out were only doing it to make them look bad.