KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof on Thursday rejected a call for the tabling of an emergency motion on the riots which broke out at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in USJ25, Putra Heights.
Lembah Pantai member of parliament Fahmi Fadzil said the decision was made by Mohamad Ariff in chambers.
Fahmi said the motion, put forward under Standing Order 18(1), was denied on the basis that riots as well as the temple land dispute is still under police investigation.
“The motion which I had put forward before this was denied in chambers upon advice from the Dewan Rakyat Speaker.
“According to the Speaker (Mohamad Ariff), the motion was, among others, rejected as the case is still under investigation, based on the statements presented by the prime minister as well as the home minister today.
“I accept this decision as I feel that the statements by the prime minister and home minister had achieved the original objective in calling for the motion to be tabled.
“If the motion was allowed and had parliamentarians debated it, it would have been answered by the relevant minister, and the people have already obtained the answer from the prime minister and home minister,” he told a press conference at the Parliament lobby on Thursday.
On Tuesday, government and opposition MPs had in a show of solidarity called for an emergency motion to suspend Dewan Rakyat proceedings in order to discuss the events related to the riots.
The motion was submitted separately by Beluran MP Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee, who represented Barisan Nasional, while Fahmi represented Pakatan Harapan.
Under Standing Order 18(1), any MO can propose for a suspension of Dewan Rakyat proceedings in order to discuss matters pertaining to public interest.
Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had issued a special statement on the riots and events related to the incident, in the Dewan Rakyat.
Fahmi, meanwhile, said all quarters should give room to the authorities to conduct their investigation.
“We have to ensure that the issue is resolved wisely for the sake of national unity, especially those who live in the area,” he said.