(Oct 22): DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang has one more chance to explain himself today and if the Speaker accepts his explanation, the government will not move the motion to suspend him, said Datuk Seri Azalina Othman today.

Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby, the minister in charge of Parliament said that as it stands, it was merely a notice of motion to suspend the Gelang Patah MP.

"Today's proceedings is quite simple, he can explain himself between now and the time I stand up to read the motion.

"And if the Speaker accepts what he has to say, the government is happy to withdraw the motion. It is now between him and the Speaker," Azalina said.

Yesterday evening, Putrajaya revived attempts to suspend Lim after he failed to apologise and retract his remarks against speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia.

Lim had allegedly accused Pandikar of abusing his power by halting the Public Accounts Committee's (PAC) investigations into 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

The notice stated that Lim had insulted both the speaker and the House and sought to suspend him for six months.

Azalina said even if Lim decided not to apologise, he should have taken the opportunity yesterday to explain why he made such remarks.

"And I heard very clearly the speaker mentioned that he can explain himself after the motion on haze," she said.

Azalina said Lim's failure to do so was the reason the government had decided to put the notice on the table.

She added that Lim had until about 11.30am today to explain himself before she stood up to read the motion.

"If he is the Dewan today, he can also defend himself before I read the motion. And it is up to the speaker to accept it or not." – The Malaysian Insider