What began as a simple query over the Auditor-General's Report 2011 eventually saw Parliament descend into chaos as MPs became emotional during Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussin's reply at the committee stage of the Finance Ministry's budget debate.
Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) had repeatedly pressed for answers from Awang Adek (right) on what action would be taken against a customs officer who went on an unauthorisedRM1.82 million shopping spree but earned jeers from BN backbenchers for prolonging an already long day at Parliament.
Awang Adek: The officer has resigned and the audit has identified the problem and the customs (department) had made a police report. Action will be taken, no one wants to protect a guilty person, so let it be.
Fong: I am not satisfied with your answer - the other side, please be quiet - I want to know what action will be taken, don't say 'will, will, will', give me a concrete answer. I request that they (BN) respect me... I am doing my job, if they are not interested they can go home.
Awang Adek: The offence has been identified, action will be taken. What more do you want? You suggest to me what kind of action you want?
Fong: What action? Only a police report?
Awang Adek: A police report had been made, what is this... Aiyo... Okay, I thank everyone, Wassalamualaikum.
An annoyed Awang Adek then sat in his chair and refused to answer any more questions, including those which had been posed from other MPs earlier in the day as Fong continued to hammer him.
This led to several Pakatan MPs to protest against Awang Adek and the house was drowned with several voices: "Cannot! Cannot! We have waited all day for an answer".
Deputy speaker Ronald Kiandee then intervened, stating: "He (Awang) will give a written reply. It's over, he has answered for 1 hour and 20 minutes".
However, Pakatan MPs including Azan Ismail (PKR-Indera Mahkota), R Sivarasa (PKR-Subang) and Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) continued to talk down the deputy speaker.
"How can he do this, how can he just get emotional then refuse to answer," said Chong Eng.
Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) had repeatedly pressed for answers from Awang Adek (right) on what action would be taken against a customs officer who went on an unauthorisedRM1.82 million shopping spree but earned jeers from BN backbenchers for prolonging an already long day at Parliament.Awang Adek: The officer has resigned and the audit has identified the problem and the customs (department) had made a police report. Action will be taken, no one wants to protect a guilty person, so let it be.
Fong: I am not satisfied with your answer - the other side, please be quiet - I want to know what action will be taken, don't say 'will, will, will', give me a concrete answer. I request that they (BN) respect me... I am doing my job, if they are not interested they can go home.
Awang Adek: The offence has been identified, action will be taken. What more do you want? You suggest to me what kind of action you want?
Fong: What action? Only a police report?
Awang Adek: A police report had been made, what is this... Aiyo... Okay, I thank everyone, Wassalamualaikum.
An annoyed Awang Adek then sat in his chair and refused to answer any more questions, including those which had been posed from other MPs earlier in the day as Fong continued to hammer him.
This led to several Pakatan MPs to protest against Awang Adek and the house was drowned with several voices: "Cannot! Cannot! We have waited all day for an answer".
Deputy speaker Ronald Kiandee then intervened, stating: "He (Awang) will give a written reply. It's over, he has answered for 1 hour and 20 minutes".
However, Pakatan MPs including Azan Ismail (PKR-Indera Mahkota), R Sivarasa (PKR-Subang) and Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) continued to talk down the deputy speaker.
"How can he do this, how can he just get emotional then refuse to answer," said Chong Eng.
"We have been promised many written replies before but we never get them," chipped in Azan.
At this, Ronald assured that the written reply would be provided "as soon as possible" and pleaded with the MPs not to quarrel with him, but to no avail.
The deputy speaker eventually gave up trying to rein in the MPs and proceeded to call for a vote by voice to pass the Finance Ministry's budget and subsequently adjourned for the day as the House was drowned in shouts of protest.
When met outside the House later, Awang Adek explained that further action against the customs officer would only be decided after the police concluded its investigation.
"A police report had been made, what more does Batu Gajah want? Does she want to kill him?" he said.
Asked about MPs not receiving written replies as promised by other ministries, Awang Adek replied: "Not from this man, I'm a man of my word".
'I was unwell'
At this moment, Chong Eng who was walking past Awang Adek, continued to vent her frustration but eventually had a friendly exchange with the deputy minister.
Chong Eng: Aiya, what is this!
Awang Adek: Don't be like that Bukit Mertajam, I have a fever today, you don't know.
Chong Eng: Why didn't you say so? (Turning to press) He was very emotional today, he couldn't take the challenge
Awang Adek: I have a fever...
The duo later made peace and Awang Adek assured that he would provide the written replies to Chong Eng tomorrow.
At this, Ronald assured that the written reply would be provided "as soon as possible" and pleaded with the MPs not to quarrel with him, but to no avail.
The deputy speaker eventually gave up trying to rein in the MPs and proceeded to call for a vote by voice to pass the Finance Ministry's budget and subsequently adjourned for the day as the House was drowned in shouts of protest.
When met outside the House later, Awang Adek explained that further action against the customs officer would only be decided after the police concluded its investigation.
"A police report had been made, what more does Batu Gajah want? Does she want to kill him?" he said.
Asked about MPs not receiving written replies as promised by other ministries, Awang Adek replied: "Not from this man, I'm a man of my word".
'I was unwell'
At this moment, Chong Eng who was walking past Awang Adek, continued to vent her frustration but eventually had a friendly exchange with the deputy minister.
Chong Eng: Aiya, what is this!
Awang Adek: Don't be like that Bukit Mertajam, I have a fever today, you don't know.
Chong Eng: Why didn't you say so? (Turning to press) He was very emotional today, he couldn't take the challenge
Awang Adek: I have a fever...
The duo later made peace and Awang Adek assured that he would provide the written replies to Chong Eng tomorrow.
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