'Speaker erred in dismissing demands to debate flood issue'

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun had erred in dismissing the demands from MPs to debate the recent floods during the parliamentary proceedings on Monday, lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla declared.

Azhar had cited Order 18 of the Dewan Rakyat’s Standing Orders to back his decision, which stipulates that MPs must give written notice at least 24 hours before bringing an urgent motion for discussion.

However, Haniff argued that given the urgency of the matter, the speaker has discretion under Order 100 to set aside the 24-hour notice requirement...