KUALA LUMPUR – The Dewan Rakyat session today witnessed a moment of chaos when Perikatan Nasional (PN) whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan alleged that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had utilised government funds for helicopter trips and helipad preparation.
The Kota Bharu MP’s remarks had caused dissatisfied government parliamentarians to raise their objections, describing Takiyuddin’s claims as slanderous and malicious, up to a point that Deputy Speaker Datuk Ramli Md Nor urged the MPs not to turn the Dewan into a “flea market”.
In his allegation, Takiyuddin claimed that the prime minister and deputy prime minister used three helicopters to attend the Village Entrepreneurs Carnival programme in Sg Besar, Selangor during the state elections on July 22.
He said he was informed by residents there that the Sg Besar Public Works Department had to spend tens of thousands of ringgit to build a helipad a few days before Anwar’s arrival.
“What is funny is that (it was reported on a news portal) that the prime minister had rejected allocation to repair houses and vehicles for the target group… actually (he) did not use this allocation to repair houses because (he) wants to use it for helicopters,” Takiyuddin said.
Sim Tze Tzin (Bayan Baru-PH) brought up the Standing Order under Article 36(6) saying that Takiyuddin’s remarks were slanderous and malicious and must be withdrawn.
“Kota Bharu to slander the government had to spend thousands for a helipad, that is slander against the prime minister, a malicious assumption, if the facts are not correct (Kota Bharu) must withdraw.
“The facts presented were based on allegations by cybertroopers, social media netizens including TikTok, so you can make any accusation but it is baseless,” he said.
Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari (Sg Petani-PH) also intervened and wanted the malicious allegations against Anwar to be withdrawn.
Ramli urged the MPs to calm down, saying that everyone should follow the rules of the House.
He asked Sim and others who were not satisfied to submit a motion and point out which part of Takiyuddin’s statement was untrue, which the Dewan Rakyat would evaluate later.
Takiyuddin, who appeared unperturbed by the objection, continued his speech, asking the government bloc to be mature in politics.
He also claimed that PN assemblymen in PH-BN-governed states have to fight for equal constituency allocation, while those in PN-states are given equal allocation.
“Grow up. Stop this ‘childish’ politics that is undignified, respect the people’s rights,” he remarked. — September 14, 2023