Minor commotion, media confined to viewing room

Bitter rivals Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat squared off today moments before the royal address at the state legislative assembly over the heavy police presence and absence of the press in the chambers.

BN state assemblypersons were the first to take their seats in the chambers, followed by opposition lawmaker Ngeh Khoo Ham, who wasted no time lamenting about the overwhelming security detail.

As more of Ngeh's colleagues took to their seats, they soon stood up gesturing angrily at Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir and his deputy, Hamidah Othman.

At one point, ousted speaker V Sivakumar tried to approach BN speaker R Ganesan, but six security personnel who were flanking Ganesan stood in his way. Sivakumar backed off only after several Pakatan members persuaded him back to his seat.

It was later learned through Twitter posts and cellphone text messages that the Pakatan members were also unhappy that they cannot enter the chambers through the same door as their BN counterparts.

Can see, but not hear

While the commotion was taking place, not a word could be heard by about 50 media personnel present, who were confined to a viewing room above the chambers.

Only speeches recorded through the microphones were broadcast to the viewing room. Details of the heated exchange were obtained from both camps after the sitting adjourned.

This is a stark departure from previous practice where reporters are stationed in the public gallery, which was mostly empty today.

However, order was restored as soon as Regent Raja Nazrin Shah entered the chambers to begin his address.

Later, Zambry brushed off the howls of protests and minor commotions from the opposition bench, but carefully avoided outright criticism of their conduct.

'Sivakumar tried to seize speaker seat'

Speaking to reporters at his office, Zambry claimed that there were several attempts by Pakatan state assemblypersons to "interfere" with proceedings and accused them of flagrant disregard of certain rules, conventions and instructions.

Among others, Zambry chided a Pakatan state assemblyperson for failing to rise during the recitation of prayers and the presence of cameras in the chambers, smuggled in by the opposition.

He even accused ousted speaker and Tronoh state assemblyperson Sivakumar of making an attempt to seize the speaker's seat from Ganesan.

"We are used to this...  They tried. But they know the people are observing them. Some among them were seen advising their colleagues not to act rashly," said Zambry.

Zambry later dismissed Pakatan's claim that there were too many security personnel and checks. He also dismissed accusations of bias because there were separate entrances meant for BN and Pakatan reps.

"We need to take precautionary measures. Anyone who knows what happen before, would not take things lightly," he said, pointing to the two state assembly sittings last year which both descended into chaos.

'They ran out of issues'

He denied Pakatan's accusations that BN representatives were not subjected to stringent security checks.

Brushing off criticism, Zambry repeatedly stressed that it was the second time that this rule was implemented and Pakatan did not object to this before.

"Maybe this is the only issue they can create right now. They know very well, that this is not the first time speaker instructed to use two different entries.

"This is how they play their game. They are trying to show BN as being disrespectful and undemocratic. The same was done in last sitting. They did not complain," said Zambry.

Asked to explain why the media were barred from entering the chambers to witness proceedings, Zambry said this was done because he could not accommodate the large number of reporters covering the event.

"So I do not want to discriminate anyone (by limiting entry), because I know some of you might not be happy. Sorry for causing any inconvenience to you," he said.

In previous state assembly sittings, the press were allowed to sit in the public gallery, which was mostly unoccupied today.

Ganesan 'happy'

Ganesan, who was also at the press conference, said he was "happy" with the proceedings today and expressed hope that members of the House will behave tomorrow.

Asked what had transpired in the conversation between him and ousted MB Nizar immediately after the sitting was adjourned, Ganesan said Pakatan state assemblypersons were seeking clarifications as to why some questions were not included for the questions-and-answers session.

He explained that some of the questions were submitted to Sivakumar, and thus he has no obligations to entertain them.

To another question, Ganesan said there was a possibility that the one-day sitting tomorrow might be extended.

Pakatan had previously condemned BN for holding a one-day sitting because there was insufficient time to address the 200 questions submitted by the opposition and that there was no debate on the royal address.

They have instead asked for a five-day sitting.