Sunday June 26, 2005

Casualty of the ‘Crimean War’

BY DALILAH IBRAHIM

WHEN Speaker Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib allowed the House to debate the emergency motion filed by Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang on the derecognition of the Crimea State Medical University by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), no one predicted the shocking outcome.

It was expected, however, that the Opposition would capitalise on the issue on that late Tuesday afternoon since the media had played up the matter to the extent of some of them calling it a “Crimean War.”

When the drama unfolded, it was initially a straight fight between the Opposition and the Government, represented by Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Latiff Ahmad.

As soon as Dr Latiff got up to reply, he taunted the Opposition Leader with a cynical opening remark that the Opposition acted “as if they were ambassadors of Ukraine.”

There was no turning back from then on as Dr Latiff had to fend off the numerous interruptions from the Opposition who questioned almost every line of his reply.

Perhaps it was a mistake or an oversight on Dr Latiff’s part when he mentioned that all Barisan Nasional component parties had supported the decision except for one – clearly referring to MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu who was quoted by the press questioning MMC’s decision.

He also said that even though there were Malay students at the university, Umno did not make a fuss about it.

So it was understandable when Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk S. Sothinathan, who is also MIC secretary-general, stood up to defend his party.

Then he did something unprecedented by questioning Dr Latiff’s answers which appeared in line with what the Opposition had been saying over the derecognition.

At one point, he said to Dr Latiff: “Tell the truth. Do not say what is not true.”

Sothinathan’s out-of-the-ordinary interruption, however, was later drowned by the argument that broke out between Ipoh Barat MP M. Kula Segaran and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

Nazri, who was asked by Deputy Speaker Datuk Lim Si Cheng to propose a motion to adjourn the proceedings, appeared to be so angry with Kula Segaran for harping on the Indian issue that he called him a racist.

He shouted so vehemently at Kula Segaran and repeatedly called him a “bloody racist” that all those watching half expected that it would turn into a fistfight.

Many predicted then that either Kula Segaran or Nazri would get into trouble for behaving unbecomingly.

The prediction became stronger when Nazri was seen talking intensely to Lim outside the Dewan.

“Somebody is definitely going to get into trouble,” said a passing MP to several reporters waiting to get Nazri’s comment.

On Wednesday, word of Sothinathan’s suspension came around noon but it was unclear at first what he was suspended from.

Many thought that he was suspended as an MP or maybe from his party but even a senior MP was noticeably surprised when it was confirmed that Sothinathan had been suspended from his Deputy Minister's post.

“I have always known him to be a polite and caring politician.

“I don’t think he has any bone to pick with anyone,” said the MP, adding that Sothinathan had always been “one of the good guys.”

“I believe he has good reasons for venting out in anger. He was once the parliamentary secretary to the Health Ministry, you know.

“Maybe he knows certain things that need to be clarified,” the MP added.

Kemaman MP Ahmad Shabery Cheek also described Sothinathan’s outburst as a reflection of his feelings over the whole issue.

“We understand that he was only trying to defend the interest of the Indian students as did the MIC president but he forgot that he was standing on the Deputy Minister’s ticket,” said Shabery.

On the other hand, he said Dr Latiff had played his role well as a civil servant in explaining the government’s policy and as a politician “under the Opposition’s attack.”

Shabery added that there were several avenues where Sothinathan could voice out his concerns including through the Cabinet and Barisan Nasional but not in an open debate in the House.

“It is like a soccer game. It does not matter how good or bad you play but in a match, you are not supposed to score an own goal,” he said.

Shabery added that while some view the three-month suspension as too harsh, there were some who thought that he was let off easy.

Shabery was, however, optimistic that the matter would not be prolonged.

“It is a lesson for all MPs, for that matter. Our roles are defined and we have to understand them clearly.

“I believe that time will heal all wounds,” he added.

The Dewan sits again tomorrow.

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