GEORGE TOWN: A commotion ensued among assemblymen at the Penang state assembly sitting following a debate over the relocation of a temple allegedly built on a road reserve in north Seberang Perai.
The issue arose after Mohd Sobri Saleh (PN-Permatang Berangan) suggested that the state government take proactive measures to relocate illegally built non-Muslim houses of worship, citing the temple as an example.
At that point, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo interjected and asked assemblymen where he came from.
“Do you know where I am from? Do you know where I was born, where I come from, do you know?” he asked.
Someone in the House replied: “Datuk Keramat.”
Jagdeep responded: “You’re right, but before that, I came from Punjab.
“I am from Punjab. Don’t play around with us,” he said.
Jagdeep (PH - Datuk Keramat) then accused Mohd Sobri of attempting to stir religious sentiments, saying Penang had long embraced unity among its multiracial communities.
“No, sometimes you must be reminded. We are one family in Penang, we are one family. Let us not bring up issues like this.
“We work together so that whatever problems arise, we will overcome them,” he said.
Jagdeep added that Penang’s unity should serve as an example to the rest of the country.
“In fact, I want people from across Malaysia to come to Penang and learn,” he said.
His remarks prompted a response from Azmi Alang (PN-Telok Ayer Tawar), who challenged Jagdeep to show his identity card to prove whether he was from Punjab or Malaysian.
Jagdeep replied that his identity card number began with “07”, indicating he was from Penang, before asking Azmi what state code appeared on his identity card.
Azmi replied: “02.”
Jagdeep then retorted that Azmi was not from Penang, to which Azmi responded: “I am Malaysian.”
The exchange triggered a brief commotion in the House, with deputy speaker Datuk Azrul Mahathir at one point switching off the microphones of the assemblymen.
The issue involving the temple is understood to still be under discussion as the state government identifies a suitable relocation site.
