DAP, PKR Assemblymen Argue Over Penang Forum
GEORGE TOWN, Nov 9 (Bernama) - The Pulau Pinang State Legislative Assembly today saw DAP and PKR assemblymen arguing over the forum that was held on Oct 29, to discuss flood and landslide problems in the state.
It started when R.S.N Rayer (DAP-Seri Delima) described the forum, organised by a non-governmental organisation, the Penang Forum, as providing a platform for certain parties to blame the DAP-led state government over the floods and landslides that occurred in the state.
"We are aware of the recent flood events and the Penang Forum was focusing to blame the state government for what happened. My question is whether the Penang Forum organised the forum with an 'open heart' or just to blame the state government," he said when debating the Supply Bill 2018 at the Pulau Pinang State Legislative Assembly here today.
Only DAP's Yap Soo Huey (Pulau Tikus) turned up at the forum that was attended by some 200 participants.
The Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblymen who attended the forum were Datuk Jahara Hamid (Teluk Air Tawar), Datuk Muhamad Farid Saad (Pulau Betong), Datuk Shah Headen Ayoob (Teluk Bahang) and state BN chairman Teng Chang Yeow, while state assemblymen from PKR were Dr Norlela Ariffin (Penanti), Lee Khai Loon (Machang Bubok) and Cheah Kah Peng (Kebun Bunga).
Cheah (PKR-Kebun Bunga) said it was unfair to accuse the Penang Forum as such because the forum was aimed at soliciting views and suggestions to solve flood and landslide problems in the state.
"I think the Penang Forum is a forum that put forward various views, suggestions and opinions. Among those who were present at the forum, some of them supported the state government while others don't, but what was important was how the experts presented their views and their desire to meet up and discuss the issues with the state government.
"As a state government we have to be ready to engage the people. Whether we are well liked or otherwise, being challenged, harassed or accused, we have to face it all. I don't think it is fair to label or accuse the Penang Forum as being partisan," he said.
Dissatisfied Rayer then disputed Cheah and two other PKR state assemblymen who did not defend the state government during the forum. Only Pulau Tikus state assemblymen spoke at the forum.
Cheah then explained that he decided to keep silent as he wanted to listen to the presentations by the experts.
"YB Seri Delima (Rayer) was not present in the forum, if YB was there, then YB would know that more than 85 per cent of the dialogue was on the explanation over floods and landslides in the state,? he said.
-- BERNAMA
