Tense exchange in Parliament over allegation of land request by Opposition leader

KUALA LUMPUR: Moments after a shouting match earlier, there was another tense moment in Parliament when MPs across the divide started trading barbs again after an Opposition leader claimed DAP demanded state land in Kelantan.

The issue began when RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) while debating the Audit (Amendment) Bill 2024, said a government-linked company behind gold mining in Kelantan should be audited.

Rayer also cited Standing Orders 36(6) and 36(12), saying that when he tried to raise the issue on Tuesday (July 2), he was interrupted by Opposition MPs.

In response, Datuk Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) stood up and claimed that DAP had previously requested land in Kelantan.

“DAP had also previously applied for hundreds of acres of land. Jelutong (Rayer) doesn’t know this,” said Awang.

Several DAP MPs then stood up and demanded Awang back his claims and name the DAP leader who had applied for land in Kelantan.

“If you are brave, then name the DAP leader,” said Rayer.

“If you don’t have proof, then you are lying,” said Chah Kee Chin (PH-Rasah).

Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) also demanded that Awang retract his claims.

Deputy Speaker Alice Lau, who was chairing the then session, told Rayer to file a motion against Awang.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran, who was supposed to deliver his winding-up speech, retorted Awang’s allegations.

Kulasegaran said that since he became a DAP member in the 1990s, one of the party policies is that members are not allowed to apply for or acquire government land.

“Not even an inch (of land) is allowed. It applies not only to me as a member but also to my wife and my children, who cannot apply for land.

“This is a principle we hold very strong in our hearts. A DAP leader can't apply for land.

“I hope other MPs won’t make baseless allegations in Parliament,” added Kulasegaran.

Later, the Audit (Amendment) Bill 2024 was passed after it was tabled for a third reading by Kulasegaran.