KAPAR MP Dr Halimah Ali has apologised for her remarks on Menu Rahmah which was claimed to be linked to cancer.
She said she issued her apology if her statement regarding the matter was misleading and misunderstood.
In a prepared text which she read in poetry style, she said: “Kalau ada jarum peniti, jangan disimpan di dalam peti, andai ada ucapan disalah erti, saya menyusun 10 jari, niat di hati suara rakyat saya juarai, semak imbang kerajaan Madani, biar integriti, bukankah itu peranan hakiki.”
(If you have a needle, don’t keep it in the box. If my speech has been misconstrued, I seek your forgiveness. The voice of the people is what I have been championing for, as a check and balance on the Madani government).
Dr Halimah asked everyone to refer to her speech recorded in the Hansard on pages 134 to 137 on Feb 14 to get a clearer picture on the issue.
To this, Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul said the matter had been put to rest and asked MPs to move forward.
On Feb 21, Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii (PH-Bandar Kuching) wrote to the Speaker to refer Halimah, from Perikatan Nasional, to Parliament’s committee of privileges for misleading the House.
Dr Yii said Dr Halimah’s remarks on Feb 14 that Menu Rahmah might cause exposure to cancer, autoimmune disease, autism, among others, were deemed to be in contempt of Parliament.
“The statement is untrue and irresponsible because it’s not only not based on facts and science, but also can cause misunderstanding and stigma against the autistic and disabled community in Malaysia,” he said.
Dr Halimah denied yesterday saying that Menu Rahmah could cause cancer.
According to the Hansard, Dr Halimah, during her speech which touched on food and health security, said that the poor shouldn’t be given low-quality food.
“I have no issues with the phrase ‘rahmah’, but don’t give the B40 low-quality food supplies that may cause them to be exposed to cancer, autoimmune disease and autism, among others,” she added.
Dr Halimah had since drawn flak over her remarks.
