Heated exchange in Sabah Assembly over investment project questions

Borneo Post

6 days ago

KOTA KINABALU (July 7): A heated exchange erupted during today's State Assembly question-and-answer session, sparked by a dispute over the ethics of raising questions about a major investment project in the state.
The incident began when State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship (MIDE) Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe was responding to an additional question from Senallang assemblyman Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal regarding the progress of Esteel Sabah Sdn Bhd's project.
During his response, Phoong took a moment to express frustration over Elopura assemblyman Calvin Chong Ket Kiun, whom he accused of raising numerous concerns about the project outside the assembly but never within it.
He noted with regret that Chong had even lodged a police report regarding the project's alleged delays, yet refrained from bringing the same concerns into the assembly's formal proceedings.
'I have repeatedly prompted you to ask any questions regarding the project in our State Assembly sittings, but you never did,' Phoong said, while thanking Kapayan assemblywoman Datuk Jannie Lasimbang for being the one to raise the issue officially.
Calling the politicisation of the investment project disappointing, Phoong said the matter concerned Sabah's investment image and should not be treated lightly.
Chong stood up and asked Phoong whether he spoke Hakka before expressing confusion in the dialect over what the minister was saying, claiming he had prepared questions on the matter.
At this point, State Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim M Yahya called for calm, but tensions continued to rise.
Phoong stood by his claim, stating that Chong had never submitted any verbal or written questions on the Esteel Sabah project in the assembly.
Puzzlingly, Chong agreed, saying, 'I fully support that.'
Sri Tanjong assemblyman Justin Wong Yung Bin then came to Chong's defense, questioning what was wrong with an elected representative asking questions on behalf of the rakyat.
The Speaker again attempted to defuse the situation, but Phoong continued to explain before being interrupted by Chong, who told him: 'You just answer the question. There is no need to query me on why I ask questions outside.'
Kadzim called for order once more, asking Chong to sit down.
Shafie then suggested allowing an additional question to calm things down, but the Speaker declined and moved to the next item.
Before the exchange could settle, an unidentified assemblyperson quipped, 'He doesn't dare to ask questions here,' referring to Chong.
Chong stood again to defend himself, insisting he was not afraid.
'I know you are brave, so just sit down,' the Speaker replied, prompting Chong to finally comply.
Later in the session, Chong was scheduled to pose an unrelated question to the State Community Development and People's Wellbeing Ministry. Before proceeding, the Speaker asked, 'Is your heart still heated?'
'Still. It is still,' Chong replied, prompting the Speaker to remind him to remain focused on the intended question before continuing the session.