Corruption, graft issues spark verbal combat at Penang Legislative Assembly

GEORGE TOWN: A shouting match erupted when issues on corruption and graft were raised by Penang Environment, Welfare and Caring Society Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh at the Penang Legislative Assembly session today.

Phee alleged Barisan Nasional (BN) were not serious in combating graft to which Shariful Azhar Othman (BN – Bertam) protested vehemently and demanded for proof.

His colleague Datuk Mohd Zain Ahmad (BN – Penaga) then told Phee not to use the august hall to campaign for the 14th General Elections.

“Do not simply accuse BN and Umno of supporting corruption, we can also raise such matters in relation to the state government, like what happened to the chief minister,” he said.

All three were then engaged in verbal combat with the two BN lawmakers repeatedly calling for proof to be produced.

Mohd Zain pointed out a Johor Exco resigned after he was charged and questioned why Penang government assemblymen did not urge Air Putih (the constituency of the Chief Minister) to do so.

RSN Rayer (DAP – Seri Delima) then entered the verbal fray as Deputy Speaker Datuk Maktar Shapee appealed for calm and told Phee to continue his wind up.

Undeterred, Phee referred to a 2004 motion moved by him then as the Penang Legislature Opposition Leader on supporting then Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on combating corruption.

He said the motion was not passed as not one government assemblymen supported the motion with the sole “Yes” vote coming from him as the sole state opposition member.

Datuk Jahara Hamid (BN – Teluk Air Tawar) said this was “cerita lama” (old story) and told Phee to raise current issues.

“People are already bored, raise up something new,” she said.