Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs Charan Jeath Singh says receiving a “yellow card” in Parliament made him more popular, with people calling him to express their sympathy following the incident.
Speaking in Parliament last week, Mr Singh reflected light-heartedly on his temporary suspension from the House after Opposition MP Jone Usamate earlier raised a point of order.
“I must thank the honourable Usamate that he raised a Point of Order, which actually made me more popular in this country when I got a yellow card from Parliament,” Mr Singh said.
“This is the first in this session we got that, and of course, a lot of people called me and sympathised about what I had said.”
Mr Singh also responded to comments from Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu about his absence from Parliament during the week.
“I think the honourable Leader of the Opposition missed me throughout the whole week. He kept on saying that I am not around,” he said.
“Yes, I was around because I have got other business to do, apart from in Parliament.”
Mr Singh then explained why he had remained away from the chamber longer than required following the “yellow card”.
He said he had misunderstood the length of time he was required to stay out of Parliament.
“I was actually given one and a half hour, but I misheard that it [was] one and a half days, so I did not come back until the Secretariat called me to say that it was one and a half hour,” Mr Singh said.
“But I still make sure I was here.”
Mr Singh’s comments followed the parliamentary disciplinary action which he referred to as receiving a “yellow card”.
