Row over Parliament smoking ban by the Health Ministry
Published on: Friday, October 19, 2018
Kuala Lumpur: Minister in charge of Parliament Datuk Liew Vui Keong said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof was not informed of the smoking ban that was enforced in Parliament premises by the Health Ministry on Tuesday.The de facto Law Minister said he too was not informed on the matter and suggested the Health Ministry to have a courtesy call with Speaker to discuss further."The smoking ban notice only the Speaker who oversees the Parliament can make such decision, what can or cannot be done within the Parliament premise.
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"I am also in the know that the Speaker was not informed of the smoking notices and the enforcement of the non-smoking area."Even myself as the Minister in charge of Parliament, I was not informed," he told reporters outside the Dewan Rakyat, Thursday.Earlier, a PKR MP said no Minister can enforce a smoking ban within Parliament grounds. Quoting the Parliamentary Privileges and Powers Act 1952, Sungai Petani MP Datuk Johari Abdul said only the Speaker has the right to issue any notices, pointing out the "No Smoking" signs plastered across Parliament, signed by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad."This house is yours (Speaker), no Minister has any power (here). So I wonder how could a Minister stick notices wherever he wants to. He has to discuss it with the Speaker and the Speaker will inform us.
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"I'm not a smoker but I need to be fair to all of us who are privileged here. Speaker, you are my boss, you are our boss, not the ministers! I ask the Speaker to inform the Government and Ministers that they have no power to stick notices here!" said Johari to the applause and support of the Lower House.He was immediately supported by Kuala Krau MP Datuk Seri Ismail Mohamed Said and Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
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"I support my colleague from Sungai Petani that no enforcement officers should loiter around Parliament finding faults with MPs unless they have the Speaker's permission."This has never happened before and we give our full support and authority for the Speaker to administer this noble house. They should respect the Speaker and not do what they like!" said Bung Moktar.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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