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Govt backbencher, opposition MPs clash during Prime Minister's Question Time in Parliament

Govt backbencher, opposition MPs clash during Prime Minister's Question Time in Parliament

KUALA LUMPUR: Tensions flared in the Dewan Rakyat this morning when a government backbencher got into a shouting match with an opposition member of Parliament over Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin's remarks on the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
The exchange began when the opposition leader posed a question to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim regarding the 13MP, which was tabled last week.
During a supplementary question, Hamzah said the 13MP lacked firmness in addressing the socioeconomic gap between Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera communities.
"This isn't specifically about developing new Chinese villages. But when other MPs bring it up, what can I do?" he said.
His remarks did not sit well with Mohd Sany Hamzan (PH–Hulu Langat), who interjected and asked the Larut MP, "Is this a debate?" He reminded the House that the session was Prime Minister's Question Time, not a debate.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN-Machang) then rose to defend Hamzah, questioning Sany's interruption.
"Why are you interrupting the opposition leader? You keep interjecting. Just let him speak," he said.
Sany shot back, reminding Hamzah and Wan Fayhsal that the session was meant for questions directed at the Prime Minister, not a debate.
"Kau kenapa koyak? Koyak pula engkau." ("Why are you getting so worked up? You're the one losing it now.")
The heated exchange was eventually diffused when Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul intervened, instructing all MPs to take their seats and allowing Hamzah to finish his remarks.
Yesterday, tempers flared in the Dewan Rakyat after Datuk Awang Solahuddin Hashim (PN-Pendang) warned the government about a possible repeat of the May 13, 1969 race riots.
Awang had alleged this could happen because the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) "sidelined Bumiputera interests".
The uproar began when Awang interjected during opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin's debate speech on the 13MP, claiming the plan lacked development for Bumiputera while discussing Chinese new villages.
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