A few days ago, a motion was tabled in the Malaysian Parliament to suspend Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim for six months for linking Prime Minister Najib Razak’s 1Malaysia concept to that of ‘One Israel’. Ibrahim had also alleged that global public relations firm Apco Worldwide was behind both campaigns.
On one hand, there are some who feel that the suspension of Anwar along with 3 other MPs (who were suspended as well after criticising the ‘parliamentary disciplinary probe’) was unjustified.
Ghkok said [1]:
This is the result of 53 years of one-party rule. It breeds arrogance and oppression. It is like a disease. There is no respect for members of parliament who are legitimately elected by the rakyat, and who have brought up a legitimate issue in Parliament (where it should be brought up).
Khoo Kay Peng also believes [2] that it was a decision that will not be beneficial for the country:
The motion to suspend opposition MPs Anwar Ibrahim, Karpal Singh, Sivarasah & Azmin Ali from parliament for six months is a prime example of abuse of parliamentary majority.
The motion would be passed effortlessly by Barisan's brute majority in the parliament. The consequence is severe and unfortunate for our parliamentary democracy.
The august house will now be inflicted by the Perak disease which has brought chaos to all sittings so far. Imagine what can a day long state assembly sitting can do to a healthy debate on important bills and budgetary decisions? Nothing.
However, there is also the sentiment that the Opposition (Pakatan Rakyat) is no different from the Barisan Nasional Government, like the one Charles Hector shared [3].
By suspending (a Member of Parliament), you deny the people of a particular constituency the ability to participate in the proceeding in Parliament/State Legislative Assembly…
Pakatan Rakyat should have been better than the BN (Barisan Nasional)- but alas they abused their power when they kept BN ADUNs (State Assemblymen) out of the proceedings of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly.
Blogger Biggum Dogmannsteinberg shares the same opinion [4].
The fact remains: Former-abuse-of-power-convict Anwar “Drama King” Ibrahim was allowed a week to present himself with evidence and substantiate his claims to the Parliamentary Rights and Privilegse Select Committee for allegations on the ‘Apco-gate’. He vehemently refused to do so. Strong suspicions point towards him being his usual self ’Politics of Hate’ strategy the past twelve and quarter years: Throw baseless allegations and sensationalise it and whenever actions are taken against him, controversialise it via media especially the foreign based that he is a victim of ‘hegemony’.
Nothing new. We have seen it all.
The Opposition had also marched to the Malaysian Human Rights Commission to protest against the suspension, and plans to seek a judicial review over the matter.
