KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) sparked tension in Parliament when he questioned why certain government leaders continued to make offensive statements despite knowing the potential for public backlash due to sensitivities.
Takiyuddin highlighted an instance involving DAP veteran Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang, who, in November last year, expressed his hopes for Malaysia to appoint a non-Malay prime minister during a speech to Malaysian students in Manchester, UK.
Despite facing public backlash, Lim defended his statement on Dec 13 by pointing out that the Federal Constitution allows for non-Malays to hold the post of prime minister. On Dec 16, Lim reiterated that it was possible for a non-Malay individual to become prime minister, prompting Takiyuddin to question the purpose behind raising such sensitive issues.
RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) objected, arguing that Takiyuddin had presented misleading information to the House. He cited historical examples, such as Tun VT Sambanthan briefly serving as prime minister on Aug 3, 1973, to counter Takiyuddin’s claims.
On Dec 19, Lim acknowledged that Malaysia would only see a non-Malay prime minister when the Malay majority was open to the idea. Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul intervened, instructing Takiyuddin to continue his address despite Rayer’s objections.
Takiyuddin also raised concerns about Tan Kok Wai (PH-Cheras) advocating for local council elections in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 17. He referred to Section 15 of the Local Government Act 1976, which stated that provisions related to local government elections had been repealed.
He demanded clarity from the government on their stance regarding local council elections and questioned whether it remained on their agenda. Takiyuddin then turned his attention to Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (PH-Beruas), who made remarks on Dec 28 advocating for non-Muslim legal experts to be part of a special committee studying the functions of the Syariah Court.
Following backlash, Ngeh retracted his statement and apologized on Dec 31. Chong Zhemin (PH-Kampar) disputed Takiyuddin’s assertions, accusing him of misleading the House. Takiyuddin dismissed Chong’s comments and criticized the practice of issuing statements only to retract them later.
Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) then raised concerns about Rayer and Chong’s behavior disrupting Parliamentary proceedings. Rayer defended himself, arguing that it was Takiyuddin who had misled the House, citing Tun Lim Liong Sik’s brief tenure as prime minister in 1988.
Speaker Johari clarified that Takiyuddin had not misled the House, as he was simply posing a question. Takiyuddin corrected Rayer by stating that Sambanthan and Ling were acting prime ministers, not prime ministers. The Speaker redirected the discussion to the motion of thanks to the royal address.
Ling briefly served as acting prime minister from Feb 4 to Feb 16, 1988, while Sambanthan acted as prime minister on Aug 3, 1973.
