Shouting match erupts in Parliament as NIISe, Muhyiddin's son-in-law brought up during debates

 

KUALA LUMPUR: A shouting match erupted in the Dewan Rakyat when the son-in-law of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and ongoing probe into the National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe) project were raised during debates.

The incident was sparked when Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) mentioned that there were recent newspaper reports claiming that "Pagoh" (Muhyiddin's parliamentary constituency) had awarded the NIISe contract to his son-in-law.

Opposition chief Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut) challenged Khoo to repeat his allegations outside if was brave enough to do so.

Also coming to Muhyiddin's defence was Datuk Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) who requested Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Alice Lau to order Khoo to retract his statement which was a direct reference made against an MP with ill intentions.

As the House descended into yet another shouting match, Muhyiddin stood up and denied the allegations made by Khoo.

"I have been calmly sitting here listening to the allegations by Kota Melaka.

"I had previously clarified after the issue was raised by the MPs from Jelutong and Ipoh Barat saying that my son-in-law Muhamad Adlan Berhan was awarded the NIISe integrated immigration system when Larut (Hamzah) was the Home Minister.

"These are false allegations to tarnish my reputation and that of my family.

"This is a serious matter," Muhyiddin said as he challenged Khoo to repeat his allegations outside the Dewan Rakyat.

Muhyiddin questioned Khoo for making assumptions based on news reports which he claimed were "fake news".

He said that his son-in-law has since lodged a police report on the allegations made against him.

Lau stepped in to cool things down by asking Khoo to show the newspaper reports which he was referring to.

Several Opposition MPs could be heard calling on Lau to make a ruling and order Khoo to retract his statement.

Khoo later complied with Lau's request but took another jibe on the NIISe issue.

“I will retract my remarks and now I will rephrase my sentence, that everyone can read this from the newspaper, which mentioned that a son-in-law to someone has obtained the NIISe project.

“We know who that person is. Otherwise, those (the Opposition) on the other side wouldn’t have interrupted us,” Khoo said cheekily before resuming his debate.

On Feb 8, it was reported that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was probing a former prime minister and his son-in-law in relation to a government contract believed to be linked to the NIISe.

On Feb 17, Muhyiddin, who is Perikatan Nasional chairman, was questioned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over claims that a government contract worth over a billion ringgit was handed to his relative. - Star