Fury in Penang assembly as exco blasts fellow party rep over ‘leaked' reply
State exco member Lim Siew Khim (left) said Batu Lanchang assemblyman Ong Ah Teong's remarks were based on an incomplete answer prematurely uploaded to the assembly's portal.
GEORGE TOWN : A Penang executive councillor tore into a fellow DAP backbencher after the latter accused her of dodging a question on the operations of the state's homeless shelter, sparking a rare open clash at the state assembly.
State social development and welfare committee chairman Lim Siew Khim lambasted Ong Ah Teong (PH-Batu Lanchang) for citing an official response, which she said had not yet been formally answered in the assembly.
The response pertained to Ong's oral question on the operations and costs of the Jalan CY Choy homeless transit centre. He had brought up this subject to raise concerns over financial transparency and staffing expenses.
He said the centre's RM598,610 annual operating cost was excessive, with over 67% spent only on the salaries for its seven staff.
However, Lim said Ong's remarks were based on an incomplete answer prematurely uploaded to the assemblyman's portal, which she had not yet had the opportunity to address.
She accused Ong of misleading the assembly and going against protocol.
Oral answers are only shared publicly and with the assemblyman posing the question after being read out in the assembly to make sure everyone obtains the information at the same time and in the right order.
'This is about ethics as a wakil rakyat. You have been here for two terms. The question has not reached its turn, yet YB Batu Lanchang cited a half-complete answer to accuse me of failing to respond. That's a serious allegation,' Lim said.
She also rejected Ong's claim that the centre had received public or NGO cash donations.
'The centre only accepts donations in kind, like clothes and food. If there's any evidence otherwise, submit a formal report. If not, withdraw your statement,' she said.
When Ong tried to explain that he had based his remarks on the official reply from her via Adun.net, the assembly's internal portal, Lim raised her voice and repeatedly told him to sit down.
The confrontation prompted speaker Law Choo Kiang to step in, saying the prematurely uploaded answer was due to a clerical error by the assembly secretariat, which he said he 'deeply regrets'.
'There was an unintentional error by our secretariat. Normally, replies are only uploaded (to Adun.net) after being formally answered.
'In this case, all oral answers were prematurely uploaded to the portal,' he said.
Law said the system error had since been rectified and thanked both lawmakers for flagging the issue.
Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow also weighed in, backing Lim and calling on the speaker to order a full probe into the error. He said it was only right for Ong to apologise.
Fellow executive councillor Daniel Gooi rose on a point of order, saying Ong should not only apologise but also retract his remarks as they amounted to accusing another member of acting in bad faith.
Ong later apologised and withdrew his comments, saying he did not wish to further disrupt the sitting.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Penang to review housing discount for Indian Muslims at next exco meeting
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang state government has agreed to review and discuss the five per cent housing discount for first-time Indian Muslim homebuyers at the upcoming state executive council (exco) meeting. State DAP chairman Steven Sim Chee Keong said he had discussed the matter with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. "I acknowledge the public feedback regarding the five per cent discount given to the Indian Muslim community for the purchase of unsold property units (overhang) in Penang. "I have discussed this matter with YAB Chow (Kon Yeow), and he has agreed to bring this issue up for review and discussion at the upcoming exco meeting," he said in a statement. As a party founded on the Federal Constitution, Sim said DAP had always championed justice and the welfare of all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion. "It is important for the Penang state government to continue upholding the principle of social justice and to ensure the rights of every Malaysian to own a home are protected," he added. does not involve units under the Bumiputera quota and does not affect any existing home ownership policies. He said the initiative was part of efforts to expand home ownership opportunities in the open market, particularly for groups with low participation rates, without affecting the rights of other communities.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Thailand, Cambodia reinforcing troops on disputed border
Thailand and Cambodia have for more than a century contested sovereignty at various points along their border. (AFP pic) BANGKOK : Thailand has reinforced its military presence along a disputed border with Cambodia, following an increase in troops on the other side, Thailand's defence minister said today. Tensions between the two Southeast Asian countries have been simmering since a Cambodian soldier was killed on May 28 in a brief skirmish in an undemarcated border area. For days, the two Southeast Asian governments have been exchanging carefully worded statements committing to dialogue. But Phumtham Wechayachai, who also serves as Thailand's deputy prime minister, said Cambodia had rejected proposals in bilateral talks held on Thursday that could have led to a de-escalation. 'Furthermore, there has been a reinforcement of military presence, which has exacerbated tensions along the border,' Phumtham said in a statement. 'Consequently, the Royal Thai government has deemed it necessary to implement additional measures and to reinforce our military posture accordingly.' He did not provide details on the extent of reinforcements by either side. In a separate statement today, the Thai army said Cambodian soldiers and civilians had repeatedly made incursions into Thailand's territory. 'These provocations, and the build-up of military forces, indicate a clear intent to use force,' the Thai army said, adding that it would take control of all Thai checkpoints along the border with Cambodia. A spokesman for Cambodia's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to questions from Reuters on the Thai army's announcement. 'This is our stance, not to initiate conflict, but to defend ourselves,' Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a speech today. 'Our guiding principles are… respect for international legal frameworks. These grounded strategies are key to safeguarding our nation's sovereignty,' he said, adding that its armed forces were ready to defend against aggression. The military reinforcements come despite efforts by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is the current chair of the Southeast Asian Asean bloc, and China to reduce tensions. Thailand and Cambodia have for more than a century contested sovereignty at various undemarcated points along their 817km land border, which was first mapped by France in 1907 when Cambodia was its colony. Tension escalated in 2008 over an 11th-century Hindu temple, leading to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths, including during a week-long exchange of artillery in 2011. Current governments in both countries, however, have enjoyed warm ties. Former leaders Thaksin Shinawatra of Thailand and Cambodia's Hun Sen have had a close relationship, and Thaksin's daughter and Hun Sen's son are now the incumbent prime ministers of their countries. Still, nationalist sentiment has risen in Thailand and the Thai military said yesterday it is ready to launch a 'high-level operation' to counter any violation of its sovereignty. Cambodia said this week it would refer disputes over four parts of the border to the International Court of Justice and asked Thailand to cooperate. Phumtham reiterated in his statement today that Thailand does not recognise the jurisdiction of the court and proposed that all boundary-related issues be resolved through bilateral negotiations.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Govt denies blocking MTUC from ILC participation, cites internal dispute
The human resources ministry has urged MTUC to expedite its re-election to restore stability to the trade union movement and ensure Malaysia's full participation in the ILC next year. (File pic) PETALING JAYA : The human resources ministry has dismissed claims that the government blocked the participation of labour representatives to the now-concluded 2025 International Labour Conference (ILC). The ministry said the non-representation of workers at the conference held in Geneva was caused by the absence of legitimate leadership in the Malaysian Trade Unions Congress (MTUC), the country's largest trade union umbrella organisation. 'In February, the Court of Appeal ordered MTUC to conduct a re-election of its leadership within 90 days under the watch of a joint special committee,' it said in a statement today. 'This election was later postponed to August, leaving MTUC without a legitimate leadership to represent workers in any official platform.' The ministry stressed that the selection of the Malaysian delegation to the ILC was made transparently under the guidelines of the International Labour Organization, after seeking advice from the Attorney-General's Chambers. It also urged MTUC to expedite its re-election to restore stability to the trade union movement and ensure Malaysia's full participation in the ILC next year. On June 4, Malaysiakini reported that the joint special committee's chairman, J Solomon, denied knowledge of needing to hold an election within three months of the committee's formation. He had earlier criticised the government for failing to register labour delegates for the ILC.
