Penang opposition leader faces censure over May 13 warning

Opposition leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim will be referred to the Rights and Privileges Committee for uttering seditious words after the Penang state assembly passed a motion here today.

There was pandemonium in the assembly today when opposition leader Azhar warned that there would be a repeat of the May 13 riots if the people lost confidence in the authorities.

Speaker Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain who had instructed Azhar to retract his statement, later approved the motion and said a notice of the motion would be sent to Azhar.

Commenting on public criticism over the police shooting of teenager Aminulrasyid Amzah, Azhar said that the army can take over from the police if the police do not enjoy public support.

His comment was followed by scores of demands from Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen for Azhar to withdraw his statement, but the latter refused, forcing Jagdeep Singh Deo (DAP-Datok Kramat) to propose that Azhar be referred to the Rights and Privileges committee.

Meanwhile, Azhar when met said he was ready to face any eventuality or concerned with any action taken against him.

“I spoke in that manner after Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) were labelled as corrupt, autocratic and I am willing to face anyone, even in court,” he told reporters.

The assembly, into its fourth day, was already abuzz with a heated argument between Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Azhar before the decision.

The argument, which lasted for about 30 minutes, started when Lim (DAP-Air Putih) was winding up debate on a motion of thanks to the Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas.

Azhar (BN-Penaga) said since the Pakatan Rakyat-led state government did not recognise the police force, he had suggested that the army should take over the duties of ensuring law and order in the country.

Lim said DAP only deemed that Tan Sri Musa Hassan was not fit to be the Federal Police Chief and that did not mean DAP does not respect the police force or their services.

“It is not wrong for us to criticise Musa Hassan (Tan Sri) because to us, he is not eligible to be the police chief. The latest issue of police shooting and killing a 15-year-old, Aminulrasyid (Amzah) is another case in point,” he said.

Meanwhile, to another question by Azahar, Lim said the government awarded Taiyo (KL) Resorts Sdn Bhd the tender to manage the Bukit Jambul Golf Club because the company had offered a high price that would benefit the state government.

“Although it is a foreign based company, the deal will benefit the state government,” said Lim when answering Azhar who wanted to know why the tender was not awarded to a local company. — Bernama