MPs kicked out after heated exchange

The Malay Mail November 1st, 2011 11:18:00

T.K. LETCHUMY TAMBOO

KUALA LUMPUR: For insisting on an answer from International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed on whether Malaysia has economic ties with Israel, Bakri MP Er Teck Hwa (pic) got ejected from the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

Er posed the question to Mustapa in his winding-up speech on the Budget but Mustapa did not respond.

Er stood up to question Mustapa again, saying: "You just have to answer 'yes' or 'no' if Malaysia has economic ties with Israel. Why don't you answer my question?"

At this point, Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia ordered Er to sit down.

When Er insisted it was merely a 'yes' or 'no' answer, Pandikar Amin said: "Bakri, sit down! I said sit down! I will not proceed with the sitting if Bakri doesn't sit down."

The DAP MP continued to press Mustapa to answer his question.

"If you do not sit down I will ask you to leave the Dewan," said the visibly annoyed Pandikar Amin.

Suddenly, Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng called out loud: "Jangan keluar! (Don't leave!)"

When Pandikar asked who interrupted, Lim owned up.

"You and Bakri, both leave the Dewan now!" Pandikar said, pointing at the duo.

At a Press conference later, Er said it was important for the government to answer his question as previously there was a law prohibiting any kind of trade relations with Israel and the former apartheid government of South Africa.

Er claimed there were promotional items to Israeli products in the ministry's library.