STATE Pakatan Harapan chairman, Chong Chieng Jen (PH-Kota Sentosa) (pic), was disallowed from participating further in the debates on the Supply (2020) Bill, 2019 after he made outrageous remarks.
The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Deputy Minister compared the State 2020 Budget to that of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and likened it to being hot-air in character.
“I urge the Yang Amat Berhormat (Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg) to come clean on that.
“I am not sure if GPS’ time is out or they’re just emulating Najib (former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) in siphoning our money from the national coffers,” he said in the House yesterday.
Chong then accused the chief minister of having an oversized ego and cautioned Abang Johari from committing the state
government to debts beyond its (financial) ability.
He was interrupted by Utilities Assistant Minister (Water Supply) Datuk Liwan Lagang (GPS-Belaga) who was visibly furious with Chong’s remarks.
“He (Chong) said in this House on November 9, 2017 that we don’t have to beg for 20 percent oil and gas royalty and get back 50 percent of the taxes. He is not telling the truth!” he said.
The Kota Sentosa assemblyman explained that the promise that he made in the House two years ago was on the condition that Sarawak get education and health autonomy from the federal government.
State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar then proceeded to stop Chong for his remarks.
“Under Standing order 32(11), the speaker can terminate the debate,” said Asfia in his ruling.
Chong replied and asked, “Mr Speaker, just because they are rowdy, they shouted, you are going to penalise me?
“Because you make an outrageous statement, you provoked them to react. This standing order allows me to stop this debate,” replied Asfia.
