Dominique Ng (PKR-Padungan) was made to withdraw his remarks about "withdrawing from the Federation of Malaysia" under threat of action being taken, including possible suspension, during question time in the state legislative assembly sitting this morning.

It happened after Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu answered the original question from Violet Yong (DAP-Pending) on the effects of the fuel and gas price hike announced by the government in February this year and steps being taken to alleviate the problems faced by the people as a result.

Ng, in his supplementary question, asked "Why are we continuing to fool ourselves that we are talking about subsidies when Sarawak is an oil-producing state and somebody (Petronas) is laughing all the way to the bank with RM70 billion in profits this year alone?"

"Why can't the state government do something about this robbery of our resources? We are talking about an oil producing state and (yet) we are crying out for subsidies!"

When Jabu, who is also minister of infrastructure development and communications, tried to explain that Sarawak is within the Federation of Malaysia and that there are rules to democracy and that if the PKR representative is not satisfied, he can always make noise, Ng retorted: "Withdraw from the federation".

Jabu: "Is that a proposal? Is that PKR proposal?"

Ng: "If Sarawak does not get its rights then it should withdraw."

On hearing Ng's reply, Jabu turned to Speaker Mohd Awang Asfia Awang Nassar,sayng : "Dato' Seri Speaker, please note that."

Rules and covenants

Abdul Karim Abdul Hamzah (BN-Asajaya) then rose to point out that no one was supposed to use seditious words.

Jabu took the floor again and said: "We are in the federation. There are certain rules and convenants we must keep up with. The supplementary question (from the member for Padungan) is beyond me. I am entitled to my opinion as much as he is entitled to his."

At this stage, state Second Finance Minister Wong Soon Koh rose to speak about Petronas' financial contributions to the national coffers, royalties paid to the state and federal governments, the dividends and duties paid on export of crude oil from the country.

He said Petronas is operating in 40 countries and only part of its crude oil production comes from Sarawak.

After he sat down, Ng stood up and asked: "Are we supposed to be happy with that (reply)?"

At this stage, Jabu rose and repeated his earlier question: "Would the member tell the house about withdrawing from the federation. Is this PKR stand?"

Ng: "This is my personal stand. I believe this is the stand of every Sarawakian who believe their money is being taken by the Federal Government.."

At this point several BN members joined in to say that is not true.

"It is not true, sir," Karim said.

At this point, the speaker interjected to point to the opposition member: "You speak for yourself and your party. Don't speak for the others."

Ng stood up and repeated: "I speak for the people of Sarawak" at which point there was an uproar in the house, leading the speaker to call for order.

Karim : "We are also elected by the people of Sarawak."

To this, the PKR rep replied: "I don't deny the 61 BN representatives are elected by the people of Sarawak. But none of the 61 really dare to speak for the people of Sarawak (on this matter)!"

'Treasonable' remarks

The speaker had to call for order in the house when the BN representatives objected to Ng's remarks.

Later, Jabu raised the same question on Ng's stand related to his earlier remarks to "withdraw from the federation", adding that "if you are a man of your words you've got a choice or leave it to the speaker to decide (what to do in your case)."

Karim then pointed out that under the standing orders, any inference or suggestion by anyone to withdraw from the federation is treasonable.

At this point, the speaker told the PKR rep that under Standing Order 30(10) it is out of order to use treasonable worlds, seditious words and words likely to produce feelings of ill-will and hostility between different communities or infringing the constitution of the state of Sarawak or Sedition Act.

He asked the opposition rep whether he still stood by what he said "to withdraw from Malaysia."

At first Ng said he never said it, stressing that "'I said withdraw from the federation."

State Housing Minister Abang Johari Tun Openg then interjected. "You have to state your stand."

When Ng indicated some hesitation in replying, the speaker said he would leave the matter to DCM Jabu on what he would do next in line with the standing orders.

Addressing Ng, he said: You can just withdraw the words "withdraw from the federation."

The PKR rep finally said: "I withdraw the words 'withdraw from the federation.'"

Today's incident was the third involving the PKR representative since the start of the sitting.

On Monday, when the assembly was officially declared open by the governor, Ng refused to wear the ceremonial headgear, although he had the uniform on.

The following day, acting as a lawyer for an unsuccessful Snap candidate, he tried to serve a writ personally on Jabu, the re-elected candidate for Layar, in an election petition.

Ng told malaysiakini today he had written to the speaker with the explanation that if it was against the rules to try and effect service of such writ within the vicinity of the assembly building he would like to apologise for it.

The speaker has yet to make a decision on the matter.