KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat was abruptly adjourned at slightly past 4pm today.
Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia made the ruling shortly after Pas secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan ended his speech to support the tabling of the party’s Private Member’s Bill to enhance the powers of the Syariah courts.
The adjournment took all the MPs by surprise as they were anticipating a heated debate later.
Pandikar, in a calm tone, said he was not restricted by any rules today when presiding over the parliamentary meeting.
“A friend once told me: “If you have the power, you are very powerful. If you do not use the power, you are a fool.
“So, today I am using the power to end this meeting and the debate for the bill will held at the next parliamentary sitting,” he said.
Roars of disapproval erupted from various sections of the House as MPs complained of the brusque end to the sitting.
The Dewan Rakyat was adjourned sine die.