KUCHING, May 5: Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing lashed out at Democratic Action Party (DAP) leaders for allegedly disrespecting the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) last week following the one-year suspension of Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei from DUN during the current sitting.
Tiong took Lanang MP Alice Lau to task for defending Wong’s actions.
The Padungan rep had been referred to the legislature’s committee of privileges last Nov 12 for accusing DUN Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar of partiality in rejecting motions by opposition members.
“If we want to talk about getting rid of authoritarian political culture, the DAP should first lead by example,” Tiong said in a statement today.
He was referring to the Lanang MP’s claim that the DUN favoured the state’s ruling party and reduced the opportunity for the state opposition’s chances to speak.
“Their arrogance and inappropriate attitudes plainly show that they don’t belong in the august state assembly,” Tiong added.
Tiong, who is also Bintulu MP, called out Lau for selectively omitting facts that exposed DAP as a disruptive opposition party within Parliament, including hurling abusive language at the Speaker and using swear words.
He further questioned DAP members for saying that Wong’s suspension was unfair: “Would the DAP also agree that the suspensions of other Members in the past are also unfair?
“In contrast, the opposition (in Parliament) today does not resort to foul language like the previous opposition to get our views across. It is just to state the facts,” he said.
Tiong alleged remarks criticising the current government within Parliament sittings were often deliberately muted while DAP members have been given leeway by the Speaker to antagonise other MPs. He also claimed that time had been reduced for the opposition to give their counter-points.
“Lau must have been busy with her selfies and failed to realise that the Dewan Rakyat is now controlled by PH (Pakatan Harapan).
“The PH have repeated struck out motions brought by the opposition towards a more people-oriented political culture starting with reforms within Parliament,” he said.
Tiong added that the opposition’s (non-PH) debates were often deliberately shot down or obstructed by DAP members.
“It is hypocritical of the DAP for trumpeting that the Parliament needs democratic reform, and now resort to these kinds of tactics. Is this part of their reform agenda since they now form the ruling coalition within Parliament?” he questioned. — DayakDaily
