Two Umno reps stage walkout over 'bullying'
Susan LoonePublished: May 9, 2011 10:50 AM | Updated: May 9, 2011 10:54 AM
Two Umno assemblypersons staged a walkout from the Penang legislative assembly today after they claimed they were not given the opportunity to ask questions during a state exco member’s speech.
Two Umno assemblypersons staged a walkout from the Penang legislative assembly today after they claimed they were not given the opportunity to ask questions during a state exco member’s speech.
The duo walked out without any furore and were seen having tea, before calling for a press conference to inform the media of the matter.
The first to leave the House was Arif Shah Omar Shah (BN-Seberang Jaya) (right), who left by seeking permission from speaker Abdul Halim Hussein, who ayed his departure.
This was followed by Jasmin Mohammed (BN-Sungai Dua), who was rather upset that his request to speak during the session was shot down by the DAP assemblyperson.
They left in the midst of state exco member on health, welfare, caring society and environment Phee Boon Poh (DAP-Sungai Puyu) gave his winding-up on the speech of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri.
“I’m leaving,” Arif Shah told the house, while Phee merely shrugged off the matter, saying. “Okay, bye”.
The walkout took place during a heated discussion on the federal government-funded 1Malaysia clinics in Penang.
Phee (left) challenged the existence of the clinics, describing it as a wastage when there were already health clinics around to provide the people with proper services.
“It looks like the 1Malaysia slogan is more important than the health services for the rakyat,” he said.
Phee also criticised the federal authorities for its inability to manage the country’s healthcare system.
As the Umno reps praised the 1Malaysia clinic for being affordable, charging merely RM1 for its services, Phee reminded the former that it was free in many other countries.
RSN Rayer (DAP-Seri Delima) questioned why the 1Malaysia clinics, brain-child of Prime Minister Najib Razak, were staffed by hospital assistants and not medical doctors.
“This is serious... is this a sandiwara? The state government must pay attention to this. If I am sick, I want to see a doctor and not a hospital assistant... shocking!”.
‘Services convenient for workers after office hours’
Hilmi Yahya (BN-Teluk Bahang) defended the project by saying that the affordable services provided were convenient for workers after office hours, or for those who live far away from the existing health clinics.
“The people welcomed the 1Malaysia clinics very well. If a patient were found to be having serious health problems, he would be referred to the hospital, it is not a problem at all,” he added.
Later, at a press conference in the opposition’s room, Arif Shah condemned Phee for belitting Umno reps during the debate sessions.
He also slammed the Pakatan Rakyat representatives of politicising the many issues raised in the August House, while trying to restrict freedom of the Umno reps to speak.
He added that the state government was not willing to listen to the points that the opposition was trying to make, saying, “They merely want to spin”.
“He is a bully and is always insulting those who want to speak up, respond or question him during his speech,” said Arif Shah.
“He does not allow us to speak... according to the CAT (competency, accountability and trasparency) principles, he should be accountable (and allow us to ask questions),” he added.
“He cannot just stop us from asking questions... he does not have the personality to be a state exco member,” he stressed.
Jasmin, who was at the press conference, said Phee was not qualified to be a state exco member as he did not understand the concept of the 1Malaysia clinics.
“The services from this clinic are for outpatients. If he does not understand it, he should resign,” he added.
The duo walked out without any furore and were seen having tea, before calling for a press conference to inform the media of the matter.
The first to leave the House was Arif Shah Omar Shah (BN-Seberang Jaya) (right), who left by seeking permission from speaker Abdul Halim Hussein, who ayed his departure.This was followed by Jasmin Mohammed (BN-Sungai Dua), who was rather upset that his request to speak during the session was shot down by the DAP assemblyperson.
They left in the midst of state exco member on health, welfare, caring society and environment Phee Boon Poh (DAP-Sungai Puyu) gave his winding-up on the speech of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri.
“I’m leaving,” Arif Shah told the house, while Phee merely shrugged off the matter, saying. “Okay, bye”.
The walkout took place during a heated discussion on the federal government-funded 1Malaysia clinics in Penang.
Phee (left) challenged the existence of the clinics, describing it as a wastage when there were already health clinics around to provide the people with proper services.“It looks like the 1Malaysia slogan is more important than the health services for the rakyat,” he said.
Phee also criticised the federal authorities for its inability to manage the country’s healthcare system.
As the Umno reps praised the 1Malaysia clinic for being affordable, charging merely RM1 for its services, Phee reminded the former that it was free in many other countries.
RSN Rayer (DAP-Seri Delima) questioned why the 1Malaysia clinics, brain-child of Prime Minister Najib Razak, were staffed by hospital assistants and not medical doctors.
“This is serious... is this a sandiwara? The state government must pay attention to this. If I am sick, I want to see a doctor and not a hospital assistant... shocking!”.
‘Services convenient for workers after office hours’
Hilmi Yahya (BN-Teluk Bahang) defended the project by saying that the affordable services provided were convenient for workers after office hours, or for those who live far away from the existing health clinics.
“The people welcomed the 1Malaysia clinics very well. If a patient were found to be having serious health problems, he would be referred to the hospital, it is not a problem at all,” he added.
Later, at a press conference in the opposition’s room, Arif Shah condemned Phee for belitting Umno reps during the debate sessions.
He also slammed the Pakatan Rakyat representatives of politicising the many issues raised in the August House, while trying to restrict freedom of the Umno reps to speak.
He added that the state government was not willing to listen to the points that the opposition was trying to make, saying, “They merely want to spin”.
“He is a bully and is always insulting those who want to speak up, respond or question him during his speech,” said Arif Shah.
“He does not allow us to speak... according to the CAT (competency, accountability and trasparency) principles, he should be accountable (and allow us to ask questions),” he added.
“He cannot just stop us from asking questions... he does not have the personality to be a state exco member,” he stressed.
Jasmin, who was at the press conference, said Phee was not qualified to be a state exco member as he did not understand the concept of the 1Malaysia clinics.
“The services from this clinic are for outpatients. If he does not understand it, he should resign,” he added.
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