Penang Opposition Head Datuk Azhar Ibrahim (BN-Penaga, centre), who has been referred to the state Rights and Privileges Committee, standing outside the State Assembly during a break.
DAP assemblymen (from left) Lim Hock Seng, Koid Teng Guan,
RSN Rayer and Jagdeep Singh emerge from the state assembly
after a contentious session.
Opposition leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim (Penaga - BN) has been referred to the Special Rights and Privileges Committee for uttering words that could bring about public unrest when he engaged in a war of words with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today.
Backbencher Jagdeep Singh Deo (Datuk Keramat - DAP) proposed a motion to refer Azhar to the committee for violating rule number 46 (17b & c) by using provocative words, such as saying Umno has three million members, that he could call in the Malay 'Tiga Line gang' and asking the army to take over the duties of the police.
Ten backbenchers supported and agreed on the urgency of the motion to be decided upon and passed immediately.
When Speaker Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain agreed, Datuk Jasmin Mohamed (Sungai Dua - BN) objected, saying the Speaker had already made a decision on the matter when Azhar uttered the words while debating with Lim.
"The Speaker already decided that Azhar withdraw a remark on ‘May 13’, so a decision has already been made and there is no need for this motion," he said.
However, Abdul Halim said he only made a decision on the May 13 remark and not about the other words.
Thus, the motion to refer Azhar to the Special Rights and Privileges Committee was passed by a majority call.
Outside the assembly, Azhar said he was not worried about being referred to the committee, or even being taken to court.
He said Jagdeep, who pushed for the motion, was "seeking revenge" by doing so.
Azhar said even if he wanted to refer Jagdeep to the committee for his behaviour on Wednesday, it s not possible as the simple majority comprising Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen would not agree to it.
Earlier, in a war of words with Lim over the latter’s accusations that the police were incompetent and Umno was corrupt, Azhar said: "Umno has been accused of so many things from being corrupt to being ‘samseng’ (gangsters), but you should know that Umno has three million members from ordinary members right up to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Abdul Razak."
He said by insulting Umno, they are actually insulting Malays since almost all the three million members are Malays.
"You are criticising the police and even the Inspector General of Police, so if you don’t trust the police, we might as well bring in the army to maintain security and peace," he said.
This created a furore, with Lim rebutting that Azhar does not respect democracy by saying such a thing.
In the midst of the ruckus, Azhar mentioned the phrase ‘May 13’ which caused an even bigger furore with the backbenchers demanding that he withdraw his statement.
Abdul Halim ordered Azhar to withdraw the phrase as it can be considered as incitement and Azhar stood up to withdraw the remark.
Outside the assembly, Lim told reporters he was shocked over Azhar’s utterances.
At another press conference, Azhar said he was angered when Lim and the backbenchers continuously labelled Umno a gangster party and corrupt
