by FAYYADH JAAFAR / Pic by BERNAMA

THE Dewan Rakyat was in an uproar today after Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (picture) called ex-Prime Minister (PM) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad the “father of hopping”.

The former said this during the debate on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill (No 3) 2022 and the Prohibition of Members of Parliament from Changing Political Parties Bill.

In his debate over the Bill, Abdul Azeez claimed that Pakatan Harapan (PH) lawmakers were only making noise in Parliament about party hopping issues and blaming others over the collapse of their administration.

He added that they should have instead put the blame solely on Dr Mahathir, who was the PM then, for resigning without consulting other top leaders in the coalition.

“He came from Umno, sat in Umno as PM and finally got angry with some people in Umno.

“After that, he joined Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia as chairman, cheated, betrayed his friends in Bersatu and joined Parti Pejuang Tanah Air,” Abdul Azeez said.

He blamed Dr Mahathir for giving up his premier seat, which led to the establishment of Perikatan Nasional (PN) and the fall of the PH government.

“I am surprised that no one has reprimanded him,” Abdul Azeez said.

In response, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (Kuala Selangor-PH) asked the Baling MP not to distort statements in the Dewan Rakyat.

“Baling needs to be honest with the statements made. Yesterday, Jerlun (Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir) explained why Dr Mahathir resigned and it was supported by Muar (Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman).

“Please check the facts before making accusations,” he said.

Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (Kulim Bandar Baharu), during his turn to debate the bill, shot back at Abdul Azeez by sarcastically remarking on the latter’s “bravery” in speaking up during the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal, which led to the collapse of the BN government in 2018.