JIMMY THANKED SALLEH FOR BEING BOLD.

KOTA KINABALU: Bugaya Assemblyman Datuk Ramlee Marhaban challenged Sri Tanjung Assemblyman, Jimmy Wong, to step outside the State Legislative Assembly during a tense moment while debating the Additional Supply Bill on Tuesday.

Ramlee appeared upset when Wong talked about corruption and insinuated that the former felt guilty when he used the Malay proverb "siapa makan cili padi, dia rasa pedas" (whoever eats chillies, he will feel the heat).

Earlier, Wong said that Sabah is still very backward and that billions of ringgit have been lost through corrupt practice.

Ramlee then stood up by citing Point of Order 43 in that Wong had malicious intent when he uttered the word corrupt.

At this juncture, Wong said: "Prove it that you are not corrupt".

Ramlee replied using an expletive that prompted Luyang Assemblywoman, Melanie Chia, to stand up and apply the Standing Order.

However, Ramlee said she is being too sensitive.

"Mungkin YB makan cili padi, rasa pedas (maybe YB ate the chillies and felt the heat)," said Wong that provoked Ramlee to challenge him to step outside the building.

"Saya tunggu di luar (I will wait outside). You didn't read the Standing Order... you just plough through the Assembly (sitting)," Ramlee retorted.

Deputy Chief Minister, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan then stood up and applied Point of Order 49 that states that when the Speaker is speaking, everyone must be silent.

Still unhappy with the situation, Ramlee pointed out that Wong failed to read the Standing Order. Wong reacted by saying that he is being hurried up to wind up while other assemblymen were allowed to speak on issues they want.

"Hari hari gulung nanti saya kasi gulung (everyday wind up wait till I wind up," he said.

Sukau Assemblyman, Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman, then stood up to state that Wong has been reminded many times to wind up. When Speaker Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak told Saddi to sit down, the latter refused.

 

"I don't want to sit down Mr Speaker because he (Wong) has spoken more than (the) five minutes (grace)," he said, prompting Salleh in a stern voice to order him to sit down.

Wong thanked Salleh for being bold.

Ramlee and Sekong Assemblyman, Datuk Samsudin Yahya heated the sitting again by saying that Wong did not write his own speech but let others write it for him.