By Nigel Edgar
KUCHING, May 9: Pujut assemblyman Dr Ting Tiong Choon almost got himself referred to the Committee of Privileges when he was accused of slamming the Standing Order booklet on the table during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talip Zulpilip accused him of the act, which they said showed utter disrespect for the DUN.
However, Dr Ting clarified that he was not slamming the booklet but the 2018 interim report booklet of Amanah Saham Sarawak (Assar), the matter which he had been waiting for a reply from Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg during the latter’s winding-up speech this morning.
Dr Ting said he was only “putting down heavily” the Assar booklet, not slamming the Standing Order booklet onto his desk, as accused.
However, he was asked by Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar to apologise for his behaviour.
“If anyone got offended because I put this down heavily, I do apologise. Why so petty? I do apologise. Are you feeling better now?” asked Dr Ting, sarcastically.
After a short argument, Dr Ting eventually apologised.
“How many times do I need to apologise? Tuan Speaker, I do apologise. I’m so sorry somebody got offended,” he said.
Dr Ting has been pursuing the Assar issue in the DUN sitting since last week, only to be told by Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh yesterday that Abang Johari, who is also the Finance and Economic Planning Minister, would be answering him today.
However, Abang Johari did not verbally answer his query this morning, prompting Dr Ting to express his disappointment after the end of Abang Johari’s speech.
Assar non-executive director Dato Idris Buang yesterday slammed Dr Ting for likening the state unit trust fund to 1MDB.
Idris demanded Dr Ting apologise and retract his statement. Idris also stated that there had been no irregularities in Assar, which Dr Ting would know if only he were to ask for detailed reports from Assar’s external accountants or the Securities Commission. — DayakDaily
