PERIKATAN Nasional MPs wore white armbands in the Dewan Rakyat as a sign of protest against Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul’s decision not to vacate the seats of six former Bersatu MPs who now sit as Independents.

Several MPs also cited pantun (Malay quatrains), slamming the Speaker’s decision during Question Time in the august House.

“The white ribbon on my left arm is in protest against the ‘reformati’ movement, specifically towards Article 49A,” said Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN-Masjid Tanah).

“Reformati” is a portmanteau of the words reformasi (reformation) and mati (dead).

Jamaludin Yahya (PN-Pasir Salak) and Siti Mastura Muhammad (PN-Kepala Batas) also took veiled swipes at the six former Bersatu MPs through the use of pantun during Question Time.

The two MPs insinuated that their former compatriots were katak (frogs) and “enam jahanam” (six persons of bad character), the latter as per the famous P. Ramlee movie of the same title from 1969.

The six former Bersatu MPs had previously pledged support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Their Bersatu membership ceased after they did not reply to letters requiring them to pledge their loyalty to the party.

Bersatu leaders had also taken Johari to task during Dewan Rakyat proceedings, where they argued that the latter’s decision was wrong.

Johari, however, stood firm and said he had studied all related aspects, including those regarding the anti-hopping law, before coming to his decision.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/16/opposition-mps-go-white-sling-pantun-in-protest