Dewan Rakyat speaker bans derogatory labels amid rising tensions

PARLIAMENT | Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul today banned lawmakers from using words such as “kafir”, “Zionists”, and “Yahudi” (Jews) or any equivalent in a derogatory manner against their peers when speaking in the lower house, following several commotions that took place last week.

Johari ruled that such conduct contravenes Standing Order 36(10)(c) which prevents lawmakers from using words likely to promote feelings of ill-will or hostility between different communities in the federation.

“Honourable members should...