KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul has ordered Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (Pas-Kota Baru) to withdraw his controversial "munafik" remark by tomorrow.
Johari said he had reviewed the Hansard before deciding that Takiyuddin must retract the words, either in the Dewan Rakyat or through a written submission to the Speaker.
"I have read the Hansard, and this is my decision. I ask that Kota Baru withdraw the words he uttered by tomorrow," he said.
He said RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) could proceed with a motion if Takiyuddin failed to comply with the directive.
The ruling follows a heated exchange between government and opposition MPs after Rayer raised a point of order over Takiyuddin's use of the term "munafik", meaning hypocrite, during his debate on the 2027 Budget.
Takiyuddin cited a hadith on the characteristics of a hypocrite and referred to the term "waad", which Anwar used when tabling the budget recently.
The ruling prompted objections from several opposition MPs, including Datuk Awang Hashim (Pas-Pendang) and Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki (PN-Parit Buntar).
Misbahul said he had a copy of the Hansard and wanted to clarify the context of the remark.
Awang argued that the hadith Takiyuddin quoted was general in nature and not directed at any individual.
However, Johari refused to allow further debate, insisting that he had already made his decision and did not want the issue to derail parliamentary proceedings.
"I do not want assumptions. I want facts. If you do not have the facts, sit down," he said.
When the MPs continued to seek permission to read from the Hansard, Johari reiterated that the matter should be pursued through the proper parliamentary process rather than debated on the floor.
"Do not challenge the decision I have made.
"Many more members (of parliament) want to speak, and I want to hear their (debate) speeches," he said before allowing the sitting to proceed.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd