Nga: Dr M told me to be neutral, so I must

DEPUTY Speaker Nga Kor Ming (pic) took the Prime Minister’s words to heart about being neutral when he managed to coolly defuse a fight.

The DAP MP, who was making his debut on the Chair, even earned compliments from Opposi-tion Leader Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for being “fair”.

In his debate, the Bagan Datuk MP was speaking on the “unfulfilled” promises of the Pakatan Harapan government.

“What are the traits of someone who is a munafik (hypocritical in religion)? It is when promises are not kept, when a person lies.

“If we cannot keep our promises, then don’t make them ... But we see that many promises are being made and unfulfilled,” he said just as RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) stood up and demanded for the word munafik to be retracted.

However, Nga calmly asked Rayer to sit down, insisting that he would only make a ruling after hearing an explanation from Dr Ahmad Zahid, who told the House that he was not referring to anyone.

“When I mentioned the word munafik, it was on unfulfilled promises. I was not referring to anyone,” he said.

“It’s obvious that he was referring to the Prime Minister,” accused Rayer.

To this, Nga said he was satisfied with Dr Ahmad Zahid’s explanation.

“YB Bagan Datuk has said it was a general statement. Therefore, it is not prejudice,” ruled Nga.

Dr Ahmad Zahid then praised Nga for being fair and continued with his speech.

When Hassan Abdul Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) again tried to get the word retracted, Nga stuck to his ruling.

In a recent Facebook Live Session with an online portal, Nga said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad told him that he had recommended the Teluk Intan MP for deputy Speaker so that he could learn to “restrain others and be neutral”.

During the campaign for the 14th General Election, Nga had come under fire for taking a dig at Dr Mahathir’s age, saying that he “did not have long to live”.

Shortly before the Dewan adjourned for lunch, Nga reminded the lawmakers to be mindful about their behaviour and remarks, adding that their every word was being recorded in the Hansard.