Citing official transcript, Fahmi Fadzil says ‘it’s clear’ what PAS MP claimed about Menu Rahmah

 

Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said Parliament’s Hansard incontrovertibly showed PAS MP Dr Halimah Ali’s controversial remarks about the Menu Rahmah, after she denied linking the government scheme to cancer and autism risks. — Picture by Mukhriz Hazim

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 21 — Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said Parliament’s Hansard incontrovertibly showed PAS MP Dr Halimah Ali’s controversial remarks about the Menu Rahmah, after she denied linking the government scheme to cancer and autism risks.

On his Twitter acount, he attached a screen capture of the Hansard with her offending remarks on February 14 highlighted in yellow.

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“Jelas (it’s clear),” he said as the only comment on the official parliamentary transcript.

The highlighted portion of the Hansard showed Dr Halimah saying as follows: “I have no problem with the term ‘Rahmah’ but don’t let it come to the point that commoners, the B40, are supplied with low-quality food and which may expose them to cancer, autoimmune disease, to autism, and more.”

The text read: “Do not let it come to the point that the B40 are given food supplies of low quality that may expose them to cancer, autoimmune disease, and autism.”

B40 technically refers to the country’s bottom 40th percentile of income earners in the country.

Yesterday, Dr Halimah’s denied saying in Parliament that the government’s programme Menu Rahmah could cause cancer and autism, telling Hulu Langat MP Mohd Sany Hamzan to refer to the Hansard in good faith.

She claimed that her statement was misinterpreted.

This afternoon, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Seri Johari Abdul said that he would decide tomorrow whether to take action against her.

Before that, Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii wrote to the Speaker this morning to table a motion under under Standing Order 36(12), which states that any member who represents statements to mislead the House is deemed to be in contempt of the House and may be referred to the Committee of Privileges for the offence.

The controversy first erupted last week when Dr Halimah was debating the royal address.

Menu Rahmah was launched on January 31 by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.

The initiative offers balanced, cooked meals for only RM5 at selected food outlets and is part of the government’s measure to tackle the cost-of-living crisis. - malaymail