The Malaysian Insight

PASIR Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said he could not give a hoot if Parliament wanted to suspend him over his remarks mocking R.S.N. Rayer over the holy ash on the Jelutong MP’s forehead.

Tajuddin said he does not mind a lengthy suspension.

“I don’t care. If want to suspend me for 6 months, or one year, or even two years, just suspend. I don’t care,” Tajuddin told The Malaysian Insight today. 

Dewan Rakyat yesterday passed a motion to refer the Umno lawmaker to the Rights and Privileges Committee for poking fun at the holy ash, or vibhuthi, worn by Rayer.

The motion was tabled by Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran.

“On Tuesday, Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, the MP for Pasir Salak had made a remark that is derogatory, serious and is seen as stoking the religious sensitivity of the Hindus,” Kula said while tabling the motion.

Tajuddin created an uproar in Parliament this week when he asked Rayer if the ash on his forehead were the ashes of Communist party leader Chin Peng.

“Are those ashes the ashes of Chin Peng?” Tajuddin asked, provoking anger among the backbenchers in the chamber.

Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof ordered the suspension of Tajuddin and Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) for two days after both refused to adhere to instructions as they argued over the propriety of the former’s ash remark.

Tajuddin said he was just joking and the issue was only escalated by DAP MPs in Dewan Rakyat. 

“I have apologised. I jokingly asked that question but you know DAP, they like to exaggerate and escalate it. 

“They (DAP) have a lot of members in Parliament now, so they can just bulldoze whatever they want,” he said while exiting from PWTC, where the Umno Annual assembly is currently ongoing.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi defended Tajuddin’s statement, two days after he asked the opposition leader to discipline Barisan Nasional (BN) representatives. 

Zahid said he is sympathetic of Tajuddin, who was referred to the parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee despite his apology. 

“Clearly, Tajuddin did not intend to insult other religions but his intention was to remind the public not to exaggerate Chin Peng’s ashes issue.” – December 6, 2019.