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GEORGE TOWN: The absence of Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (PH-Kulim-Bandar Bahru) from the state assembly meeting ongoing since it started on Monday (October 12) became a hot topic at the meeting.
Before the state executive council could proceed to the summary session on Friday (October 16), Zulkifli Ibrahim (Bersatu-Sungai Acheh) got up to ask President Datuk Law Choo Kiang if he knew where Saifuddin was.
“They didn’t inform me, but generally, it can come at any time,” Law responded.
Dr. Afif Bahardin (Bersatu-Seberang Jaya) then read an August Hall rule requiring any member who cannot attend the meeting to report to the secretary and obtain a license.
“I feel like you don’t respect the Hall. Is it quarantined? No one here knows.
“This is the first time this year that we can discuss state affairs from the motion control order (MCO) and it is an important task,” added Dr. Afif.
Saifuddin is also general secretary of PKR and Kulim MP.
Many assembly members from Pakatan Harapan then got up and started talking to Dr. Afif aloud at once, leading to a war of words between them.
Law wanted everyone to sit down, but his voice was drowned out in cacophony.
After Law came to their attention, he reminded them that the rules of the Hall do not require any member to be present and that permission to be absent is only needed if a member cannot attend the entire meeting.
But the opposition members of the assembly did not let it pass and, at one point, Dr. Afif alleged that Saifuddin was earning “gaji buta (collecting a salary without actually working)”.
That caused the order in the Hall to break down.
Many Pakatan assembly members demanded that Dr. Afif withdraw the comment.
“Sit down! You’re wasting everyone’s time!” Jagdeep Singh Deo (PH-Datok Keramat) yelled at Dr. Afif.
“They are worried that the Perikatan Nasional government will fall!” Said Dr. P. Ramasamy (PH-Perai).
“I know why you all raised this. I have given you five minutes. Get up a little more and I, as Speaker, will empty your seat,” Law warned, later adding that he would order any member to leave the Hall even if they were executive directors. when Dr. Norlela Ariffin (PH-Penaga) insisted on wanting to say something.
After things calmed down, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow rose to make the following motion and reminded everyone that according to the rules of the Hall, members of the Hall abide by the rules even if they attend the meeting for only one minute in six month period.
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