KUALA LUMPUR: The heated exchange between the government and opposition continued during a debate with a deputy minister being accused of flashing obscene gesture during the Dewan Rakyat sitting today.
RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) alleged that Deputy Plantation Industry and Commodities Minister Willie Mongin had flashed his middle finger after the latter finished delivering his winding-up speech regarding the allocation proposed for the ministry under the Budget.
Rayer said after Willie had delivered his winding-up speech, he flashed an obscene gesture at opposition lawmakers which was witnessed by about 10 opposition MPs.
“He showed his middle finger, this is an insult especially to the MPs among the women. Please ask him to apologise,” Rayer said.
Willie denied he had made such a gesture when Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun asked him to explain the accusations.
“This accusation is not true, if the opposition MPs assume I had made such an act, I am ready to apologise,” he said.
Kasthuri Patto (PH -Batu Kawan) claimed that Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad (BN-Parit Sulong ) had witnessed the alleged action by Willie.
“You saw it when you asked him to cool down and asked him to calm down,“ she said.
Azhar ignored the on-going commotion and adjourned the sitting for the day.
During his winding-up speech, Willie had engaged in a shouting match with opposition MPs when he explained why the rubber plantation industry was spared from being imposed a windfall tax.
The ministry’s allocation of RM476.67 million was approved after registering a 108-95 vote outcome in favour of the government.
