Pending rep calls Transport Minister ‘political coward’ over suspended Padungan rep

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By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, Oct 19: Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong Wui Wui called Sarawak’s Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin a “political coward” during the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today, accusing him of criticising the suspended Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen while he was absent from the House.

The exchange erupted during Lee’s winding-up speech when he responded to Padungan’s call for the Sarawak government to abandon the proposed New Kuching International Airport (NKIA) and other major strategic infrastructure projects due to their substantial development costs.

Lee, who is also Senadin assemblyman, described Padungan’s argument as “short-sighted” and an example of “political double standards”, prompting Yong to raise Standing Order 32(6).

Yong argued that Lee should not be commenting on the Padungan’s position when the latter was not present to defend himself, following his suspension for the remainder of the current DUS sitting.

“Mr Speaker, you should stop him from raising the attack in this House. Uphold the dignity of this House and the fairness of this House,” she said.

She then accused Lee of cowardice, saying: “If he wants to answer, why he removed Padungan? This is not called strength. This is called political coward. This is called cheapskate at the lowest standard.”

Lee asked Yong to withdraw the word “coward”, explaining that the suspension was a decision made collectively by the House and not a personal decision on his part.

“It’s the decision of the Dewan and it is not personal decision. It is the decision of 62 ADUNs here. It’s not my personal decision,” he said.

However, Yong refused to retract her remarks.

“I am not going to withdraw because he is a political coward. He moved the motion, he removed him and he attack behind him. Is he not a coward? He is a coward,” she said.

Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap then raised a point of order, accusing Yong of engaging in political theatrics and suggesting that she wanted to be ejected from the House.

“She wants to get kicked out from the Dewan. Then the minute she gets kicked out from the Dewan, we have got another set of video coming out saying that this particular Dewan bullies her. So this is just another political theatrics,” he said.

Yap also cited Standing Order 32(4), which deals with unparliamentary language, saying the phrase “political coward” should be recorded in the House.

“In any event, let this House record that the word ‘political coward’ — you are doing a show and that is not right under Standing Order 32(4). Let it be recorded in this Dewan,” he said.

DUS Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar presided over the sitting. — DayakDaily

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