1Malaysia, Apco, One Israel: Live from Parliament

BN is tabling a motion to censure Anwar, with four government MPs lined up to debate four Pakatan MPs. Malaysiakini reports live from Parliament. Click ‘Refresh’ or ‘Reload’ in your browser for the latest updates.

Sitting breaks for lunch. Final BN speaker Nazri Abdul Aziz (Umno-Padang Rengas) to wind up later.

12.50pm: Anwar admits having strong connections in the US, but said that he has always maintained his objections towards the US policy on Afghanistan, Palestine and other issues.

He said Najib’s government on the other hand, panders to the west by ordering Petronas to stop providing fuel to Iran, which is an enemy to the US.

BN MPs erupt in protest, followed by shouts from the opposition bench.

Anwar retracts his remark on order of the Speaker and the House calms down. Chuckles were heard as all MPs take their seat as they laugh at each others’ antics.

12.36pm: Final debater Anwar Ibrahim (PKR-Permatang Pauh) complains that the motion against him was “cacat (defective)” because the motion was politically motivated.

“Punish me. Expel me. Jail me. I won’t give in,” he said.

12.25pm: Khairy Jamaluddin (Umno-Rembau) riles up the Pakatan crowd once again by likening the “Israel for all” rallying cry to the “PAS for all” slogan.

He later holds up a folder which he claim contains proof that Anwar had direct relations with Paul Wolfowitz, a known Zionist backer.

12.16pm: Third BN speaker Khairy Jamaluddin (Umno-Rembau) begins his debate by accusing Anwar of creating a controversy over Apco Worldwide because he was worried about BN federal government having a 68 percent approval rating.

He said Anwar’s troubles were compounded further by troubles in Pakatan Rakyat, including a string of defections from PKR which has caused him to lose his authority as Opposition Leader since PKR does not have the most seats on the opposition block.

“Although (Pakatan) sleeps on the same pillow, their dreams are like far apart mountains,” he said.

12.00pm: Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena) uses his turn to allow other MPs to speak. Among others were Salahuddin Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian), Sivarasa Rasiah (PKR-Subang), Saifuddin Nasution (PKR-Machang) and Yusmadi Yusoff (PKR-Balik Pulau).

All the ‘additional speakers’ question the validity of the motion since it was not inaccurate to say that Apco Worldwide was engaged by the Prime Minister and his Cabinet.

The Pakatan MPs said that under Standing Order 36 (12), to censure a MP, it must be proven to the House that the MP did so knowingly that the information he supplied the House was wrong.

The MPs also question why BN only allowed Umno MPs to speak during the debate and questioned of Umno was monopolising BN. They also question if there is dischord in BN over the motion raised against Anwar.

11.56am: Third Pakatan speaker Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena) begins his speech with “Salam anti-Apco”.

11.44am: Abdul Rahman Dahlan (Umno-Kota Belud) withdraws remark on orders of Wan Junaidi. He defends the 1Malaysia concept and asked why the opposition was against this “noble” concept.

11.43am: At the request of Deputy Speaker Wan Junaidi Tuanku Abdul Rahman to clarify his remark, Abdul Rahman repeats his allegations that One Israel was “almost like Pakatan Rakyat”, opposition MPs leap to their feat in protest.

Continuous shouts of “tarik balik (retract the remark)” coming from the opposition bench.

11.37am: Deputy Speaker Wan Junaidi Tuanku Abdul Rahman takeover Speaker’s seat.

Abdul Rahman Dahlan (Umno-Kota Belud) continues his speech, stating that unlike 1Malaysia, One Israel is a coalition of three Israeli parties, adding that it was similar to the tripartite Pakatan Rakyat, drawing the ire of PAS MPs.

MPs from the Islamist parties are up in arms that they were being likened to an Israeli political party.

11.36am: BN second debater Abdul Rahman Dahlan (Umno-Kota Belud) stands up to speak. Some opposition MPs shout “putar belit” (twist and turn).

11.26am: Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) blames BN government “lebih kurang” attitute has led Malaysia to be a “lebih kurang country”. He also use Mandarin to cite Chinese philosopher Hu Shi’s famous article ‘Mr Lebih Kurang’ to illustrate his point.

“The best ‘reason’ in the world can never change the brute and blind majority. Can we appeal to the reason and conscience of the ministers and BN MPs?” he asks.

Lim’s parting words to the House, “The more you prosecute Pakatan Rakyat and the opposition leader, the earlier will be your doom.”

11.28am: “Why is so bad to say that 1Malaysia is a carbon copy of One Israel? I myself say that 1Malaysia is carbon copy of Malaysian Malaysia. Am I going to be referred to the committee?” asks Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur).

He questions the cabinet involvement in the issue of referring Anwar Ibrahim to the rights and privileges committee. “Why must the cabinet decide on the matter? The cabinet’s interference is a clear violation of the separation of powers,” says the DAP MP, who is in his usual feisty and animated self.

Lim describes the BN parliamentary majority as “bad majority, stupid majority”. Wittily side-stepping House rules against insulting other members by saying ‘stupid majority’ instead of ‘stupid person’, Lim is allowed to continue by the House speaker. When Kit Siang mentions about ‘stupid majority’, Nazri Abdul Aziz (Umno-Padang Rengas) smiles smugly while making notes on his notepad.

Lim hits out at the “hypocrisy” of BN MPs. “They attack the character of PKR candidate in Hulu Selangor, but how many of them in this Dewan does not drink?”

House speaker Pandikar quips, “I also drink YB, but only water.”

11.13am: It’s Lim Kit Siang’s (DAP-Ipoh Timur) turn to speak. He says today’s is the saddest day of Parliament.

It is learnt that DAP had originally suggested Kit Siang be one of Pakatan’s four debaters. However, the slot was given to Anthony Loke (DAP-Rasah) after someone said that Kit Siang is a member of the special rights and privilege committee.

But it was later found that Kit Siang is no longer a member of the committee and therefore he was put back on the list of speakers.

11.10am: Nur Jazlan (Umno-Pulai) accuses Anwar of desecrating the sanctity of the House and disturbing the security of our nation with his antics.

Every time Nur Jazlan mentions ‘Apco’, someone from the opposition bench shouts ‘Umno’. And whenever the Umno MP argues that the opposition’s allegations are untrue, it is followed ‘buktikan’.

11.06am: Nur Jazlan (Umno-Pulai) says Anwar Ibrahim (Permatang Pauh) used the “negative publicity” in international eyes to paint a bad image for the government.

He defends the government’s hiring of Apco to repair the damage that Anwar had done. He also accuses Anwar of using NGOs, hired Internet experts and the international press to tarnish Malaysia’s image.

10.55am: Nur Jazlan (Umno-Pulai) – the first BN debater – begins to speak. Pandemonium ensued as Tian Chua (PKR-Batu) and N Gobalakrishnan (PKR-Padang Serai) stand up to refute something which is being read out by the Umno MP. Both shout at Nur Jazlan.

House speaker Pandikar tells everyone not debating the motion to sit down and keep quiet, or he will order them removed from the chamber.

10.48am: Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) continues his speech. “I ask the BN reps, speak with your conscience. The nation is being ‘attacked’ by the Zionists at your invitation.”

“Di mana Pekan (Prime Minister Najib Razak)? Di mana Pagoh (Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin)? Kenapa mereka tak berani nak hadapi tuduhan ini?”

Both Najib and Muhyiddin are not in the House.

Azmin rounds up with his argument that 36(12) was in fact instituted to ensure that ministers give proper information in the House. He said that if that rule is taken literally, then many minister will be hauled before the rights and privileges committee.

“Marilah Barisan National, janganlah jadi budak suruhan Najib, janganlah jadi hamba Apco,” he says.

10.39am: Anwar’s top lieutenant Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) is the first Pakatan MP to speak. In his usual eloquence, he attacks Umno to the cheers and table-thumping of Pakatan MPs. He hits out at the motion for being “grossly unjust” and questions why the documents provided by Anwar in his earlier explanation to the House are not investigated.

Azmin accuses the government of being errand boys to Apco – the Washington-based communication consultant hired by the Malaysian government – and Israel. He says BN is punishing Anwar with their “haphazard and rushed” motion at the bidding of their Apco-Israeli “masters”.

He invokes concerns of national security and says that Umno is trying to cover up the real extent of Apco’s involvement and its connection to Israel by only debating on the 1Malaysia-One Israel and burying everything else that Anwar has revealed.

10.37am: House speaker Pandikar sets 15 minutes for each speaker. “If we were to allow Padang Serai (PKR MP N Gobalakrishnan), five days will not be enough,” he quips.

Opposition MP keep raising the technical issues involving the motion, but Pandikar insists the motion is “proper”.

Meanwhile, Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) will replace Anthony Loke (DAP-Rasah) as one of Pakatan debaters.

10.28am: Gobind Singh (DAP-Puchong), who appears slightly emotional, insists to argue his point of order. House speaker Pandikar told him to shut up.

A few other MPs try to speak. Pandikar tells everyone to sit down and listen to him

Pandikar reads out standing order 43. He says that it is his decision that the motion is proper and his decision is final. Anyone who questions the motion will considered to be ‘out of order’.

10.23am: There is a bit of commotion with a few MPs from both sides seeking to speak. Gobind Singh (DAP-Puchong) stands up a few times to raise a point of order.

House speaker Pandikar admonishs Gobind for his “stalling tactics”. “I have the power to kick you out!” he warns.

10.18am: Kamarudin Jaffar (PAS-Tumpat) stands up to say that the motion is in contempt of the Dewan Rakyat. Because the motion to refer Anwar to the rights and privileges committee is to ask the powerful committee to determine the punishment and not to weigh whether if he is guilty. This he says violates the committee’s rights.

10.16am: Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) almost got into an argument with House speaker Pandikar Amin over the matter brought up by his fellow MPs. After an explanation from Pandikar, Kit Siang relents.

10.11am: House speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia he says he and the deputy speaker will determine if a motion is properly worded. If motion is on order paper then it is proper, he argues.

10.09am: Lim Kit Siang (DAP- Ipoh Timur) stands up to ask for explanation. He wonders if the motion is properly worded.

Lim has tweeted that today’s session in Parliament will be see a situation of “brute majority bullying minority”. He added that this would be an illustration on why BN must never be allowed to get back its much coveted two-thirds parliamentary majority.

10.08am: BN whip Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz gets the ball rolling on motion to censure Anwar. He reads out the following motion:

“BAHAWA pada 17 Mac 2010, Yang Berhormat Ahli Parlimen Permatang Pauh, ketika mengambil bahagian dalam Perbahasan Usul Menjunjung Kasih Atas Titah Ucapan Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong, telah mengeluarkan kenyataan, “1999 Satu Israel. 2009 APCO menasihat Perdana Menteri Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib 1Malaysia”.

BAHAWA Yang Berhormat Ahli Parlimen Permatang Pauh telah mengeluarkan kenyataan yang mengelirukan serta membuat dakwaan yang sangat serius dan menyalahi hak dan keistimewaan sebagai Ahli Parlimen serta merupakan satu penghinaan kepada Dewan ini.

MAKA INILAH DIPERSETUJUI BAHAWA Ahli Yang Berhormat Permatang Pauh hendaklah dirujuk kepada Jawatankuasa Hak dan Kebebasan. Jawatankuasa ini hendaklah membuat syor jenis hukuman yang setimpal yang patut Dewan kenakan ke atas Ahli Yang Berhormat Permatang Pauh.”

10.06am: Nazri Aziz (Umno-Padang Rengas) moves that today’s session in the House will not be suspended until motion to censure Anwar Ibrahim ((PKR-Permatang Pauh) and several other bills have been passed.

10.05am: Abdul Rahim Bakri (Umno-Kudat), who is deputy transport minister, just give notice to the House to retract Road Transport Act amendment bill. The amendments include raising the compound for traffic offences to RM1,000 from RM300.

10am: The four speakers from the Pakatan Rakyat are:

1. Azmin Ali (PKR- Gombak)
2. Anthony Loke (DAP-Rasah)
3. Marfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena)
4. Anwar Ibrahim (PKR-Permatang Pauh)

For Barisan Nasional:

1. Nur Jazlan (Umno-Pulai)
2. Abdul Rahman Dahlan (Umno-Kota Belud)
3. Khairy Jamaluddin (Umno-Rembau)
4. Nazri Aziz (Umno-Padang Rengas)

BN whip Nazri Abdul Aziz has earlier told Malaysiakini in the Parliament lobby that he would be tabling a government motion under standing order 27(3), while the offence for Anwar is section 36(12) for misleading the House.

9.46am: The motion to censure Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim (PKR-Permatang Pauh) for misleading the Parliament over his 1Malaysia-One Israel allegations will be the first order of business on this last day of the current House sitting.

The chamber as well as the public gallery is packed with parliamentarians in anticipating of the debate. Mkini