Ruckus over 'racist' Umno leader

Although he was not in the Penang state legislative assembly this afternoon, former Bukit Bendera Umno chief Ahmad Ismail was still the centre of attention.

It all started when Koid Teng Guan (DAP-Sungai Pinang) referred to a press statement by Finance Minister II Ahmad Husni Rusli last month. It stated that, if the Chinese bully the Malays, the latter would fight back.

Koid then mentioned Ahmad ( right ), who had once described Chinese Malaysians as ‘immigrants'.

For reporting on this, Sin Chew Daily journalist Tan Hoon Cheng was arrested under the Internal Security Act in September 2008 and held briefly until public pressure secured her release.

"This is press freedom a la BN," commented Koid.

RSN Rayer (DAP-Seri Delima) demanded an explanation from Umno as to why it accepts Ahmad when he had made ‘racist' statements about non-Malays.

Shouting match

This triggered a heated response from Arif Shah (BN-Seberang Jaya) who chided Pakatan Rakyat assemblypersons, many of whom are lawyers, for not practising democracy.

"We have no locus standi to answer this question, but a person is innocent until proven guilty. Also he has paid for his mistakes," said Arif ( left ).

He was referring to Ahmad's three-year suspension from Umno, which was cut short last December. The Bukit Bendera Umno division exco then resigned enbloc in March, paving the way for him to return to his post.

Jagdeep Singh Deo (DAP- Dato Keramat) shot back that "a criminal is still a criminal" even if he has completed serving his sentence.

"That's your own interpretation (of the law)," retorted Arif before a shouting match ensued.

Syed Amerruddin Syed Ahmad (BN-Bayan Lepas) then said "not all Umno people are like Ahmad".

Opposition leader Azhar Ibrahim (BN-Penaga) ( left ) criticised assembly sessions, saying the quality of debates has deteriorated.

But Azhar was himself slammed for ‘showing his behind' during the assembly sitting last December, which had resulted in his removal from the House.