'Give me time,' speaker tells Kampar MP on Padu cost issue
Johari said this today after Chong Zhemin (Harapan-Kampar) attempted to raise a point of order against Wee for allegedly misleading the House.
“Listen to me... While Ka(m)par has a right to raise a point of order...
PARLIAMENT | Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul promised to decide on a matter raised by Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) on the cost of developing the Central Database Hub (Padu).
Johari said this today after Chong Zhemin (Harapan-Kampar) attempted to raise a point of order against Wee for allegedly misleading the House.
“Listen to me... While Ka(m)par has a right to raise a point of order, I also have a right to answer any questions raised. And my right supersedes yours.
“I wish to inform you that Ayer Hitam (Wee) has written to me. And I am carrying out my investigations. I have also written to the economy minister (Rafizi Ramli).
“Give me some time, two or three days, for me to deliberate and decide who is right and who is wrong,” said Johari (above).
Last Wednesday (Nov 6), when delivering his ministry’s Supply Bill 2025 winding-up speech, Rafizi hit out at Wee over Padu’s development cost.
“I want to make a small correction on the allegation that Padu was developed with a cost of RM85 million as Ayer Hitam (Wee) always says on his TikTok.
“That allegation is not true,” said Rafizi, adding that Padu’s total cost as of September was only RM31 million.
The next day (Nov 7), Wee hit back in Parliament, saying he found the RM85 million figure cited in reports by multiple news outlets, including PKR organ Suara Keadilan.
‘Mispronunciation’
In a response to Chong’s attempt to raise a point of order against Wee today, Johari said his decision will be made after Rafizi responds.
“The point is that Ayer Hitam (Wee) has written to me, and it is the minister’s responsibility to reply to me. From there, I will make my deliberation and decision.
“Therefore, Ka(m)par please be patient. I will inform (my decision) later,” he said.
At this point, Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN-Alor Setar) stood up to correct Johari who throughout the exchange with Chong had said Kapar instead of Kampar.
“Kampar is on that side (government) while Kapar is here (opposition),” said Afnan.
Johari then replied, “Yes Kampar. I’m sorry, sometimes Kedahans have a slight (pronunciation) problem... Thank You Alor Setar.”
Meanwhile, Chong at a press conference later said he would submit his motion against Wee in writing, and urge Johari to also review the matter.
