Uproar at Perak assembly sitting

It took just 15 minutes for trouble to start in the Perak state assembly sitting this morning, as speaker R Ganesan ordered the confiscation of a camera brought into the chamber in defiance of 'new rules'.

This was despite an earlier assurance that there would be no disruption to the proceedings, as has happened previously.

At 10am, Ganesan started the proceedings by reading out the new rules imposed on state assemblypersons - the ban on recording devices includes the use of cameras and handphones in the House.

They are also required to 'respect' the speaker and conduct debate in a civil and ethical way, also ensuring that their points are relevant to the debate.

The Question session got off to a sedate start, with Menteri Besar Zambry Abd Kadir replying Mohd Tajol Rosli Ghazali (BN-Pengkalan Hulu) about the deficit in the state budget.

Ganesan then spotted Nga Kor Ming (DAP-Pantai Remis, standing in photo) using his camera, and ordered the sergeant-at-arms to confiscate it.

A short argument ensued with Pakatan Rakyat representatives pointedly referring to the speaker as “Datuk Ganesan” or "Chairperson", intentionally ignoring his title as part of a pre-arranged plan.

The matter was settled without the camera being confiscated, but Pakatan representatives then began heckling and interrupting Zambry.

BN representatives countered, and Ganesan was hard-pressed to keep order as barbs were exchanged across the floor.

As the spat continued, Zambry (right) accused Opposition Leader Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin (PAS-Pasir Panjang) of "twisting the facts" in claiming that that the budget deficit would reach RM100 million if the Supplementary Supply Bill is passed.

The Bill, seeking an additional RM80 million, is due to be tabled during the sitting.

Ganesan offended

The situation calmed down briefly before Nga locked horns with Zambry, expressing consternation that "this is the first time that a state government is so proud of its deficit".

Underlining this, Nga claimed that Perak is currently among the poorest states and that it has the largest number of poor families, with 192,000 earning less than RM2,000.

When he addressed Ganesan as 'chairperson', the latter replied: "I'm the speaker. While you are in the House, please use (this title). If not, I will take action."

Nga retorted that Ganesan (right) should wait for the court's verdict before claiming the title, referring to the legal wrangle over who should hold the post.

"Okay," said Ganesan, apparently acceding to the remark.

Zambry refuted Nga's claim, saying there are only 764 poor families in Perak and that it is not the poorest state.

He warned Nga not to manipulate the figures and stop making false claims in the media.

Sum Cheok Leng (DAP-Bercham) then asked how the state government is able to paint a rosy picture of the economy when a UN report states that Malaysia has experienced a drop of 81 percent in FDI.

His question was brushed aside by exco Hamidah Osman(left) who said the sitting is only interested in debating issues in the context of Perak.

Hamidah, who chairs the Industry, Investment, Entrepreneur Development, Tourism and Women's Affairs Committee, said Perak has received investments in excess of RM11 billion to date this year.

Zambry is now tabling the Supplementary Bill.

Quiet entry

Outside the building, about 20-30 police personnel have been standing by since early this morning.

Pakatan representatives met at the DAP headquarters nearby before walking quietly to the state secretariat building where the legislative assembly is located.

Led by Nizar, who smiled and waved at the police, the group posed for photographs.

They entered the chamber at 9.33am, while Zambry arrived at 9.55am.

Former DAP Malim Nawar assemblyperson Keshvinder Singh took his seat alongside other 'BN-friendly' Independents.

Some 50 journalists are restricted to another room with glass panels, from where they can only watch the proceedings via CCTV and hear what goes on via microphones.

However, they have to work in the dark because reflections off the glass wall forced photographers to request that the lights be turned off.

The CCTV visuals have since been turned off, with the audio-feed providing the only clue as to what is going on.