logo
Wee, Chong clash in Dewan Rakyat over 'daylight robbery' remark

Wee, Chong clash in Dewan Rakyat over 'daylight robbery' remark

KUALA LUMPUR: A verbal spat erupted in Dewan Rakyat today between two government backbenchers during a debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13).
The exchange began when Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN–Ayer Hitam) used the word "daylight robbery" regarding a government-linked company and Inland Revenue Board (IRB).
Wee's remark prompted Chong Zhemin (PH-Kampar) to invoke Standing Order 36(12), which states that any member who makes a misleading statement in the House is considered to have insulted the Parliament.
Chong argued that the matter Wee cited had already been settled in court.
"Earlier, Ayer Hitam said this was tax robbery, that is not correct. This is a court decision," he said.
Wee objected to Zhemin's statement, saying that the DAP member of parliament was not a minister and asked him not to interrupt his speech.
"Respect me as a people's representative. I want to finish my speech. That's all. The one who answers is the minister, not someone who wants to act like a minister," Wee said.
Zhemin, however, insisted he could question the words and examples Wee used, which he claimed were misleading to the Dewan Rakyat. He also urged Wee to withdraw the word "robbery."
Wee said Chong could submit a motion to Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul to refer the matter to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee.
"YB (Zhemin) can make a motion. I am used to this. This is a tactic, and every time I speak, he disturbs me. YB can refer back to Hansard to see what I said," Wee said.
The exchange escalated until Deputy Speaker Alice Lau Kiong Yieng had to step in.
"YB Kampar can write a motion to the Speaker. After that, the Speaker will ask Ayer Hitam to provide a clarification," she said.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

AGC: Pardon fully restored Anwar's eligibility as MP, PM
AGC: Pardon fully restored Anwar's eligibility as MP, PM

The Star

time16 minutes ago

  • The Star

AGC: Pardon fully restored Anwar's eligibility as MP, PM

PETALING JAYA: The Attorney General's Chambers has rejected claims in a lawsuit that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should have been disqualified from serving as an MP and as Prime Minister. It said that a royal pardon in 2018 fully restored Anwar's eligibility to serve. In a statement Thursday (Aug 10), the AGC said the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong had granted Anwar a full pardon, reinstating his legal status "as a person who has never committed any offence". This meant that there was no basis for disqualification under Article 48(1)(e) of the Federal Constitution, it added. The AGC issued the statement following a suit filed by lawyer and former minister P. Waytha Moorthy, who is seeking to nullify Anwar's election as Tambun MP on Nov 19, 2022, and his appointment as the 10th Prime Minister five days later. Waytha argued that the pardon did not expressly exempt Anwar from the constitutional five-year ban on contesting elections after a prison release. He claimed that without such an exemption, Anwar should have been barred from standing in the 15th General Election. Citing the 2023 Court of Appeal's decision in Anwar Ibrahim v Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz, the AGC said that the King held the constitutional authority to pardon both the conviction and the sentence. "Therefore, there is no question of Datuk Seri Anwar being disqualified as a member of the Dewan Rakyat or as prime minister," it said. The AGC further said that any challenge to an MP's election must be made through an election petition under Article 118 of the Federal Constitution and within the time frame stipulated in Section 38 of the Election Offences Act 1954.

A-GC: Full pardon erased all bars on Anwar, making lawsuit baseless
A-GC: Full pardon erased all bars on Anwar, making lawsuit baseless

New Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • New Straits Times

A-GC: Full pardon erased all bars on Anwar, making lawsuit baseless

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's royal pardon in 2018 fully restored his eligibility to serve as a member of parliament and as Prime Minister, the Attorney-General's Chambers (A-GC) has affirmed, rejecting claims in a lawsuit that he should have been disqualified. In a statement, the A-GC said the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong had granted Anwar a full pardon, reinstating his legal status "as a person who has never committed any offence." This, it added, meant there was no basis for disqualification under Article 48(1)(e) of the Federal Constitution. The clarification follows a suit filed by lawyer and former minister P. Waytha Moorthy, who is seeking to nullify Anwar's election as Tambun MP on Nov 19, 2022, and his appointment as prime minister five days later. Waytha argued that the pardon did not expressly exempt Anwar from the constitutional five-year ban on contesting elections after a prison release. The former cabinet minister, who served under Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad from 2018 to 2020, claimed that without such an exemption, Anwar should have been barred from standing in the 15th General Election. Citing the Court of Appeal's decision in Anwar Ibrahim v Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz [2023] 2 MLJ 545, the A-GC stressed that the King held the constitutional authority to pardon both the conviction and the sentence. "Therefore, there is no question of Datuk Seri Anwar being disqualified as a member of the Dewan Rakyat or as prime minister," it said. The A-GC further said that any challenge to an MP's election must be made through an election petition under Article 118 of the Federal Constitution and within the time frame stipulated in Section 38 of the Election Offences Act 1954.

Call for anti-bullying law renewed after death of Zara Qairina
Call for anti-bullying law renewed after death of Zara Qairina

Borneo Post

time2 hours ago

  • Borneo Post

Call for anti-bullying law renewed after death of Zara Qairina

Matbali (second left) receiving the appointment letter as Friends of Ministry of the Ministry of Works from Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi (second right) at the Parliament building on Tuesday. KOTA KINABALU (Aug 14): Sipitang Member of Parliament Datuk Matbali Musah has urged the government to immediately enact a specific anti-bullying law, following the tragic death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, which has shocked the nation. Debating the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday, Matbali opened his speech by recalling the incident that claimed the teenager's life at her school last month. He said the case not only brought immense grief to Zara Qairina's family in Sipitang but also sparked deep concern across the country. 'This is not just sad news — it is a powerful wake-up call for all of us,' he said. 'It raises serious questions about how far we have truly safeguarded the safety of our children in educational institutions. If bullying was indeed involved, then this is no longer a matter of discipline — it is an act of violence that claimed a life,' he added, speaking with visible emotion. This is the second time Matbali has raised the issue in Parliament, having previously brought it up during the debate on the Education (Amendment) Bill 2025 on July 30. He called on the government to take proactive and transparent action to address the case, stressing that a dedicated anti-bullying law must be enacted without delay. 'Let there be clear guidelines, protection for victims and whistleblowers, and firm action against perpetrators,' he said. Matbali also expressed appreciation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Federal Government, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and the State Government, as well as all concerned parties, for their condolences and firm commitment to resolving Zara Qairina's case transparently and thoroughly. During the debate, Matbali called for Sipitang District to have a modern, advanced health complex to cater to the needs of over 35,000 residents. He expressed hope the proposal would be made a key development project under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), noting Sipitang's size of 2,437 sq km — equivalent to the entire state of Melaka. 'I hope my proposal will be given serious consideration, in line with efforts to upgrade Sipitang Hospital into a specialist hospital in the future. This also matches the district's geostrategic location bordering Labuan and Sarawak, and along the international route to Brunei Darussalam and Kalimantan, Indonesia,' he said. Matbali said several health clinics around Sipitang — including Sindumin (19.6km away), Mendulong, Meligan, and Long Pasia (115km) — could use the health complex as a patient referral centre, reducing the need to send patients to Beaufort or Kota Kinabalu. He also reiterated concerns over the unfinished Pan Borneo Highway project along the Sipitang–Beaufort stretch, calling on the Works Ministry to act immediately. 'This road no longer makes travel easier; it has made things worse and has contributed to several accidents. According to official statistics, there were 16 accidents reported along this stretch from January to July this year, compared to 23 cases for the whole of last year,' he said. Matbali further highlighted stalled upgrades to Jalan Mentulud, Jalan Mendulong, and the road from Kampung Mendulong to Kampung Meligan. Other issues raised included the need for electricity in remote areas such as Kg Long Pasia, Long Mio, Meligan, Ulu Bole and Iburu, which still rely on generators, and the 'three-in-one' problem of flooding, riverbank erosion, and siltation in the constituency. 'Flooding often occurs in Pekan Sindumin, especially in Kg Skim Sindumin and Tanjung Nipis, reaching water levels up to 1.5 metres due to overflow from Sungai Mengalong,' he said, adding that riverbank erosion along Sungai Padas in Beaufort and siltation at the mouth of Sungai Sipitang were worsening navigation and flood risks.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store