Why did the Dewan Rakyat Speaker deprioritise the Sodomy II motion?

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The Dewan Rakyat Speaker Deprioritised the Sodomy II Motion Due to Prioritisation of Government Affairs

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia deprioritised a motion to censure the judges involved in the Sodomy II case by placing it last on the Order Paper. He stated that government matters take precedence over other issues, citing Parliamentary Standing Order 15 as justification for this decision. This ruling led to significant uproar from opposition lawmakers, resulting in the ejection of Gombak PKR MP Azmin Ali, who had filed the motion.
Government Matters Given Priority

Pandikar Amin Mulia explicitly stated that his duty was to prioritise government affairs in accordance with Parliamentary Standing Orders. He referred specifically to Standing Order 15, which he indicated guided his decision to place the motion concerning the Sodomy II judges at the end of the day's proceedings. This approach underscores a hierarchical view of parliamentary business, where the administration's agenda is considered paramount.
Opposition Accusations of Bias and Corruption

Pakatan Rakyat lawmakers accused the Speaker of alleged bias following his decision. They contended that the motion to scrutinise the integrity of the three Appeals Court judges was crucial for the image of the country's judiciary. The opposition alleged that these judges had conspired with the ruling Barisan Nasional government to prevent Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim from contesting the Kajang by-election.
Legal Basis for the Motion Debated

Azmin Ali, the MP who filed the motion, argued that his proposal adhered to procedures outlined in Article 127 of the Federal Constitution. This article permits Parliament to debate actions by judges that are deemed detrimental to the judiciary's integrity. Azmin asserted that the Constitution should supersede the Standing Orders, and therefore, the motion should have been debated.
Speaker Accused of Avoiding Scrutiny

Following his ejection from the House, Azmin Ali claimed that Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia had avoided debating an issue that could potentially expose corruption within the judiciary. The opposition's intention, as stated by PKR strategic director Rafizi Ramli, was to have the judges' names recorded in parliamentary records for future reference, even if the debate itself could not proceed, thereby sending a signal to the judiciary.

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Why did the Dewan Rakyat Speaker deprioritise the Sodomy II motion?

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