Bung's exposé against Khairy goes up in smoke as bill retracted

 

Kinabatangan MP Bung Moktar Radin’s plan to reveal what former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin was allegedly “smoking” now appears to have gone up in smoke.

Met in Parliament today, Bung (above, right) said he was initially waiting to make his revelation in the Dewan Rakyat, where he would enjoy parliamentary immunity, during debates on the Control of Smoking Product for Public Health Bill 2023.

“I’m waiting for the Bill but it was retracted, so no chance for me,” he told Malaysiakini.

Last week, The New Straits Times reported that an angry Bung had made the threat against Khairy who called him an enemy of public health for opposing the bill that regulates tobacco and vape products.

Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa had tabled the Bill for first reading on June 12 as scheduled but further debates are put on hold as it was immediately referred to the Health parliamentary special select committee (PSSC) for further review.

‘Everybody can choose their future’

On a separate matter, Bung also downplayed speculations that Perikatan Nasional (PN) is courting up to 10 “former Umno warlords” sidelined by the party to join them ahead of the upcoming six state elections.

“I think those (speculations) are just perceptions of the PN secretary-general (Hamzah Zainudin),” said the Sabah Umno chief.

Hamzah on Monday claimed that PN is finalising its recruitment of a group said to be “Umno warlords”.

“We are in a democratic country. Everybody can choose their future. 

“Everybody can participate in whichever organisation or party where they can play their role. It is up to them,” said he said. 

“If there are any among them who wish to join any party, that is a part of democracy,” said Bung.

He added that Umno had also solidified its position during the party’s recent annual general assembly to be behind party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as part of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration.

From a list of prominent names expelled or suspended from Umno, so far, only former Kelantan Umno figure Annuar Musa has officially signed up with PAS while former Selangor Umno chief Noh Omar has been actively campaigning for PN. - Mkini