KUALA LUMPUR: The Parliament today saw solidarity among government, opposition and independent MPs when they were united in tabling the emergency motion for the Dewan Rakyat to debate on the rioting incident at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in USJ 25.
The motion, which was made under the Article 18 (1) of the Standing Orders, was submitted separately by Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil, who represented the government and independent MPs, while Beluran MP Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee represented Barisan Nasional (BN) to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Mohd Ariff Md Yusof today.
“We MPs from both sides have got together and included an emergency motion to discuss what is considered of public interest, specific to the incident in a temple in Seafield. The motion was presented and accepted by the Speaker’s office and he has said he would consider it for debate on Thursday.
“We have gathered today as a mark of bipartisan support to show that all MPs consider this matter as something we should stress on and discuss in harmony,“ Fahmi said in a joint press conference by PH, BN and independent MPs at the lobby of the Parliament building today.
Among those present were Tan Sri Noh Omar (BN-Tanjung Karang), Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (BN-Arau), Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (Independent-Masjid Tanah), Datuk Johari Abdul (PH-Sungai Petani), Ramkarpal Singh (PH-Bukit Gelugor), Alice Lau Kiong Yieng (PH-Lanang), Datuk Noor Azmi Ghazali (Independent-Bagan Serai) and P. Kasthuriraani (PH-Batu Kawan).
Fahmi said although two motions were proposed by BN and PH, it did not matter which was accepted as both had the same objective under the same Standing Orders.
He said PAS was also welcomed to support the motion.
Earlier, in a separate press conference, BN Chief Whip Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the motion was made following fears that the situation would worsen.
“We are confident that PH MPs will stand with us on this as they too want this matter resolved for the good of all,“ he said.
Ismail Sabri, who is also Bera MP, said he hoped Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat would accept the motion for debate and was confident it would get the support of PH MPs.
He said BN condemned the attack on the fireman who was on duty during the rioting at the temple this morning and hoped that police would immediately detain those responsible. — Bernama
