THE Selangor state assembly saw brief chaos at the start of the sitting when Taman Medan assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin challenged Speaker Lau Weng San on the rejection of his written questions.
Dr Afif interrupted a question-and-answer session between Azmizam Zaman Huri (Pakatan - Pelabuhan Klang) and state investment, trade and mobility committee chairman Ng Sze Han.
He questioned why two of his questions regarding the Selangor government’s stand on the Urban Renewal Bill and guarantees for property owners in redevelopment projects were rejected.
He also raised the latest status of the Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link) Highway project.
"My last question on the Bill was rejected at Parliament, so we want to know what the state government’s stand is," he said.
"My next question is about the PJD Link project implementation status. The last meeting I attended was at the Selangor Economic Action Council stage, chaired by the Selangor Mentri Besar.
"After that, we don’t know what happened. Selangorians and Petaling Jaya stakeholders don't know what is happening.
"But the Speaker rejected my questions as repeated questions," said Dr Afif.
Lau responded, "Yang Berhormat, saya akan putuskan kemudian (I will decide later). Now, we will continue with supplementary questions by Hulu Kelang."
Dr Afif pressed on, demanding his questions be addressed. When Lau ordered him to sit down, Dr Afif continued, insisting the Speaker should allow his questions to be answered.
Lau replied, "I didn’t say there are no answers, I will explain later. Sit down!"
He then repeatedly ordered Dr Afif to sit down.
Dr Afif persisted, saying, "If the Speaker rejected my questions, then the state government did not prepare the answers!"
Lau stated, "Taman Medan, I will answer if necessary. The answers have been presented in writing to you. Taman Medan, sit down!"
Gombak Setia assemblyman Muhammad Hilman Idham intervened, arguing Dr Afif only wanted the latest updates. Lau replied sternly, "Gombak Setia sit down! This is not concerning you!" and the microphones at both assemblymen’s seats were turned off.
At 11.30am, before adjourning the session, Lau clarified Dr Afif’s questions were not rejected but repeated.
"The first question, on the redevelopment of old flats, was scheduled as the 355th oral question but appeared twice. Therefore, the repeated question was rejected.
"The question about PJD Link was repeated three times, so it was rejected but will be answered as the 217th oral question," he explained.
