What good is there in sending someone to space when the government lacks money to rebuild a school which was razed in a fire?

This is the question posed by an opposition MP who is seeing red because his motion to debate the issue was shot down by speaker Ramli Ngah Talib in chambers.

Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Bandar Kuching) also accused the House speaker of protecting the executive from being held accountable in Parliament.

The MP said although his motion was to be debated today, it was rejected even before it was moved in the House.

Ramli rejected the motion under Standing Order 18(7)(b) on the grounds that the matter has already been brought up and an explanation has been given, thus it could not be debated again.

Speaking at a press conference at the Parliament lobby, Chong explained why he had decided to bring up the matter again.

"On Nov 1, during the policy stage debate on the Supply Bill 2008, I brought up the school's situation and Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said that he would give me a written reply.

"He also said that if I don't get the answer soon, I could always bring up the issue at a different avenue. And thus, I decided to move a motion to discuss it again. However, it was shot down," he said.

The school mentioned in the motion was Sekolah Menengah Bandar Kuching 1 which was razed in a fire on May 28.

Lacking funds

"Reports given by the government say that the government is lacking funds and the money to rebuild the school will be allocated under the 10th Malaysian Plan," said Chong.

"What's the purpose of sending people to space when they don't have enough funds (to rebuild schools)?"asked Chong.

"Some 2,000 students in the school are facing difficulties because the fire destroyed seven classrooms and three labs, resulting in many students being forced to learn in 'floating classes'," he said, adding that the school needs at least RM1 million to rebuild the damaged building.

Chong said it was wrong for the speaker to reject the motion because it 'shames' Parliament and prevents it from holding the ministers responsible accountable.

"That's why we see ministers disrespecting the Parliament. They don't have the slightest respect for Parliament," he charged.

Earlier in the Dewan Rakyat, Chong's attempt to move the motion was once again shot down, this time by deputy speaker Lim Si Cheng.

Lim explained that Chong had not followed proper procedures in filing the motion as all motions need a two-day notice.

However, the MP refuted this and said that he was raising the issue under Standing Order 43 which states that speakers' decision on any point of order shall not be opened for appeal and review by the House except upon substantial motion moved for the purpose.

It also states that such a motion shall not require more than two days' notice.