PARLIAMENT | Chaos erupted in the Dewan Rakyat this afternoon when RSN Rayer (Harapan-Jelutong) engaged in a verbal altercation with opposition chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) over the issue of housing budget for the Indian community.
It began when the PAS secretary-general questioned why the government's 13th Malaysia Plan proposal only had a master plan for the development of Chinese new villages but did not offer something similar for the Indians.
According to Takiyuddin (above, right), it is a known fact that many Indian estate workers have been struggling with housing problems.
"I want to know the justification and the amount that the government is allocating for this Chinese new villages development masterplan.
"And since there is a masterplan for Chinese new villages, I also want to ask why there is no masterplan for the development of the Indian community, especially for the plantation workers, who we know do not have their own houses," he said in his debate speech.
The query did not sit well with Rayer, who immediately stood up to interject and accused Takiyuddin of making a false statement, saying that the government has already allocated a budget for the Indians to build houses.
Awang Solahuddin Hashim (PN-Pendang) then told off Rayer, saying he should let the relevant ministers answer.
After a short argument, Shahar Abdullah (BN-Paya Besar), who was standing in to chair the proceedings, instructed the Jelutong MP to let Takiyuddin finish his speech before raising his objection.
Another tense moment
However, the situation became tense once again as the Kota Bharu MP took a swipe at Rayer, suggesting that the latter was not as loud whenever he was in court.
It then turned into a shouting match as Rayer challenged Takiyuddin to face him in court.
"I challenge Kota Bharu, if you are brave, see me in court. I dare you!
"If you dare, see me in court, I will teach Kota Bharu," he said, before moving to cite Dewan Rakyat standing order 36(12) against Takiyuddin.
Rayer claimed that Takiyuddin had misled the august house by suggesting the government did not allocate a budget to take care of the Indian community housing.
The PAS leader denied this and dismissed Rayer as "having a hearing problem".
Both then started shouting again, telling each other to shut up.
Takiyuddin later explained that he was only questioning why there was no similar masterplan for Indian plantation workers’ housing.
Shahar then made a ruling to dismiss Rayer's objection, saying that Takiyuddin did not violate the standing order as alleged.
13MP proposal
According to the 13MP, the government is proposing a continuation of the bumiputera economic agenda while introducing initiatives to uplift the socio-economic status of low-income Chinese and Indians.
For the Indian community, the plan would see more educational and talent development initiatives, according to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, when he tabled the plan on July 31.
They include science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (Stem) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes that are aimed at increasing career opportunities for the community.
"We will also carry out initiatives to repair houses and strengthen governance for the Indian community.
"Public infrastructures and facilities will be improved to enhance the Chinese and Indian's social networking access and life quality, including for the women, youth and elderly groups," the premier had said. - Mkini
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