The question-and-answer session of the Selangor state assembly got heated up today, causing a Barisan Nasional assemblyperson to be ordered out of the sitting for two hours for not complying

with the speaker’s order of disallowing supplementary questions.  

The marching orders came about when Batang Kali assemblyperson Mohd Isa Abu Kassim wanted to seek clarification from Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim who had alleged that the cost of some projects under the previous administration ballooned from RM20 million to RM40 million.  

Mohd Isa said the menteri besar’s allegation implied officers of the previous government were dishonest in preparing contract documents.   

“I want the list of projects the YB (Abdul Khalid) meant and who prepared the tender documents.    

“This is an insult to the civil servants at the District Office Technical Committee. I want clarification,” he said.     

Speaker Teng Chang Kim reprimanded Mohd Isa for raising a supplementary question during question time as Abdul Khalid had 11 questions to answer and ample time should be allocated for that.  

Mohd Isa refused to back down on the matter resulting in Teng ordering him out of the sitting for two hours according to Rule 44(2) of the Standing Orders.     

At a press conference later, Mohd Isa questioned Teng’s action which did not give him an opportunity to raise a supplementary question.  

“We, the opposition members, want to seek clarification from the state government, that is the menteri besar, on a certain issues raised and the house is the most appropriate place.  

Teng said he did not allow Mohd Isa to raise a supplementary question due to time constraints so that more original questions could be answered by the state government.  

“I have only ordered him out of the house for two hours and he can still take part in the debate session later,” he said.  

- Bernama