DAP Penang

Ooi, Fong told to leave Dewan

By admin on December 9th, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 9, 2010): Two opposition MPs were asked to leave the House during the oral question-and-answer session this morning for not following Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia’s instruction.

Jeff Ooi (DAP-Jelutong) was asked to take a rest when he was posing a supplementary question on the Penang International Airport expansion project, and Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) when she wanted to defend Ooi.

Ooi was stopped by Pandikar Amin as soon as he mentioned the word “former transport minister” in his question to Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri.

“Jelutong, sit. (Abdul Rahim) don’t have to answer,” he said and asked Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) to ask the next supplementary question.

Ooi asked what he did wrong. Pandikar Amin said Ooi had not been listening as he had, from the very beginning of the day, said he would be strict in ensuring that the Standing Orders were followed closely.

After a brief exchange of words, Pandikar Amin said he would exercise his power to order Ooi to leave and come back after lunch break at 2.30pm.

Ooi left but Fong tried to argue on his behalf. “I am sorry Mr Speaker but I’d like to appeal for Jelutong to be allowed to continue his question,” she said.

When Pandikar Amin refused to entertain her, Fong said: “Since handling the House early this morning, you have been treating us like schoolchildren. I am sorry to say that perhaps it is you who should instead take a short break.”

This was greeted by shouts from the backbenchers, led by Datuk Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading).

Pandikar Amin then asked Fong to leave and come back at 2.30pm.

Fong tried to object, saying “the Parliament cannot go on like this if your emotion has been disturbed since morning” but she was led out by the sergeant-at-arms upon the speaker’s instruction.

Pandikar Amin said he asked Ooi to stop because Ooi wanted to associate it with a former transport minister who was undergoing trial in court, referring to Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik.

“That is subjudicial. Don’t you all understand this? I want to raise the image of the Parliament. Let’s do this together. But instead you accuse me of being emotional and everything,” he said.

However, later at the lobby, Ooi explained that he was referring to Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and not Ling, when he said “former transport minister” and asked for an apology from Pandikar Amin.

Datuk Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) was also stopped from asking a question after Pandikar Amin said he had deviated from the original question.

“I am only showing my standard. I don’t compromise with anyone. And I am not bought by anyone. I don’t allow anyone to go against the Standing Orders. So, questions like that, I don’t allow because it brings information to the minister. I allow extra questions but they must be short and precise,” Pandikar Amin said.

The Sun - Husna Yusop – 09 Dec 2010
http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=54933