Penang opposition reps walk out after Jahara faces flak

Penang opposition state assemblypersons today walked out after their leader, Teluk Air Tawar rep Jahara Hamid, was slammed several times by DAP assemblypersons today for her remarks at the state assembly.

In all happened when Jahara was forced to withdraw her statement that developers needed to obtain a “green light” from MPs or state assemblypersons for their projects to take off.

As Jahara was saying this, Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer (left) shot back that she should immediately retract her comment.

Rayer cited Standing Order 46(13) that states a state rep can be taken to task for making baseless accusations that hurt the feelings of another assemblyperson.

“Maybe during BN’s time this has happened but not now. There is no need for a green light... and such baseless allegations hurt my feelings,” shouted the lawyer.

At one point, Jahara shot back, “Are you a developer?”

Jahara denied she was referring to “contracts” when she mentioned getting the green light from YBs before proceeding with their projects.

House speaker Law Choo Kiang then decreed that Jahara should indeed withdraw her remark, while ticking off Rayer and asking him not to “disrupt” the assembly proceedings.

As Jahara was trying to do what Law had ruled, Rayer got up and continued to shout, “Withdraw your remarks. We can’t let that get into the Hansard!”

“This is a serious allegation.”

At one point, Law raised his voice to ask Rayer to be patient as he is waiting for Jahara to obey his ruling to withdraw her remarks about the “green light”.

Jahara said, “He (Rayer) is always disturbing. An opposition leader can’t even speak.”

Scolded by Sungai Puru rep next

She then withdrew her statement. However, it was not long before she was scolded again, this time by Sungai Puyu assemblyperson Phee Boon Poh for alluding to the selective action taken by the state which seems to favour Chinese businesses .

Phee shouted at her several times to withdraw her statement, saying, “We don’t discriminate between Chinese and Malay businesses.”

When Law (right) asked her to explain, she said, “If I gave the impression, then I withdraw the statement.”

She then got another shelling for showing a photo showing Guan Eng shaking hands with an individual from a website which alluded that the person was given special favours over the building of a ‘Tokong’ in Pulau Jerejak.

She was attacked for asking, “Is there approval for the land to be converted for the building of a shrine?”

Jahara said she was getting “fed-up” with the attitude of the Pakatan YBs, before the assemblypersons from Umno all left the hall.

The Penang state assembly continues today with debate on the budget 2014 which was presented by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on Nov 28.