TUPONG assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman has refuted claims made by Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen, who alleged that the august House has become oppressive towards opposition members.
Fazzrudin said that Chong was given ample opportunity to express his views on both Tuesday and Wednesday, particularly during the debates on two of the three Bills.
“If he was really suppressed, I don’t think he would have the opportunity to speak at all. He is painting a picture that he is being suppressed and that the august House is oppressive. This is untrue,” said Fazzrudin.
He further argued that the government bench has been “more than accommodating and open” to whatever Chong had to say.
“If he was upset that he got whacked the whole day, the only person responsible for that is himself. Padungan was asking for it,” he stressed when debating in support of the motion of appreciation for the Governor’s address during the fifth day of the 19th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting yesterday (May 10).
He pointed out that Chong had the option to remain silent and not participate in the debate, but chose to speak his mind instead.
“He has to be responsible for that. The supermajority by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in this august House is due to the confidence of the people in the Premier and the confidence that we are a government that is open and guided by democratic principles.
“We also have the confidence of the elected representatives. That is why Bawang Assan assemblyman Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, Engkelili assemblyman Johnical Rayong Ngipa, and Ba’kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian are now on the government bench,” he added.
