Calling it nothing more than a “political drama” before the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections this month, Khalid, who is also the MP for Shah Alam, also wondered why minister in charge of Parliament, Azalina Othman Said was not angry at Hadi, who chose to postpone the debate, after the motion was bumped up over other government-proposed Bills.

“One was happy to table the motion and then postpone debate, while the other was happy to give way (superseding government matters).

“You (Abdul Hadi) asked to be given way for your motion (to be tabled), she (the minister) gave way, but then you do not want to debate.

“You’re wasting Parliament’s time,” he told a press conference at his office today.

Khalid also announced that he would proceed to file legal action against a Malay daily for their front page coverage on May 27, alleging that he objected to the Bill, along with other DAP and Amanah MPs.

He however explained that when he stood up in Parliament as Hadi was tabling the Bill, it was to ask why it had been given priority over other government matters.

“There was bad intention to make me seem like I was DAP’s slave when I stood up.

“The issue of whether or not I agree with the Bill does not arise because it has yet to be debated. DAP opposed (the Bill) on procedural grounds while I have clearly stated that I support it,” he said.

Some on the Barisan Nasional (BN) side, such as MCA and Gerakan, have protested against the Bill, saying it would lead to the implementation of hudud laws in the country.

However, Prime Minister Najib Razak defended Hadi, explaining to his BN counterparts that the purpose of the Bill was only to enhance the powers of the shariah courts and only affected Muslims in the country.