November 17, 2009 20:33 PM

Tempers Flare At Sabah State Assembly

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 17 (Bernama) -- Tempers started to flare at the Sabah state assembly when an opposition state assemblyman from DAP and one from Barisan Nasional (BN) were involved in an argument over land encroachment and birth certificate issues.

Datuk Samsudin Yahya (BN-Sekong) accused Jimmy Wong (DAP-Sri Tanjung), the sole opposition representative, of breaching ethics and integrity as a state assemblyman, while debating the Sabah 2010 budget here Tuesday.

Samsudin, producing documents and pictures to support his allegations, said the Sri Tanjung assemblyman had encroached into the government's TOL land and a children's playground, when renovating his house.

He also alleged that Wong's certificate on his status as a native of the state had also raised suspicion which enabled him to buy land reserved for natives in the state (native land).

"He (Jimmy Wong) is actually not eligible to be an elected representative because he cheated the people and the constituency," said Samsudin.

Tempers however, started to flare when Samsudin labelled Jimmy Wong a liar, based on what he had done.

Wong who tried in vain to interrupt Samsudin a number of times, said the BN representative's accusations and allegations were baseless and that he should not have used such words like 'a liar' in the assembly.

"I will always fight for the betterment of the people in Sabah and I it is up to the people to judge me and my services to the community," said Wong.

The situation was later defused by deputy speaker Datuk Johnny Mositun who asked Samsudin to carry on with his debate of the budget instead.

Meanwhile, Datuk Ramlee Marbahan (BN-Bugaya) urged the government to expedite the decision to build a coal-powered power station at Felda Sahabat in Tungku, near Lahad Datu as the demand for energy had increased.

"Even countries like China, United States, Europe and even Singapore who are always sensitive and concerned with their environment, have build coal-powered power stations.

"The government should not bow to opposition by some irresponsible people who have their own agenda as any delays will only make the BN government look bad for being slow in providing the basic needs of the people," he said.

-- BERNAMA

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