State sssemblyperson for Ayer Lanas, Mustapa Mohamed, has urged government backbenchers to maintain courtesy and refrain from making wild allegations when participating in the debate at the state assembly sitting.

The international trade and industry minister said the backbenchers must submit proof instead of empty talk alleging that BN had purportedly committed slander in the recent general election.

"I have been listening attentively but let there be courtesy in making criticism. There must be evidence in making allegations," said Mustapa when intervening in the debate on the royal address by the sultan of Kelantan at the state assembly, in Kota Baharu today.

NONE He had intervened when government backbencher Mohd Zaki Ibrahim (PAS-Kelaboran) who was debating the motion, took the opportunity to accuse Umno and the BN of committing slander during the recent general election in Kelantan.

Mohd Zaki ( left ) , who was a former deputy speaker of the state assembly, claimed that BN had given methamphetamine pills and liquor to party workers especially the younger people and non-Muslims during the election.

Mohd Zaki's allegation angered the opposition leader, Nozula Mat Diah (BN-Paloh), who protested against the allegation which he described as 'gila babi' (crazy).

The house became tense momentarily when Mohd Zaki asked Nozula to retract the word and disallowed the opposition leader to interrupt his debate.

Speaker Abdullah Ya'kub later pacified the assemblypersons and Mohd Zaki subsequently continued his debate.

"The federal government channels allocations to all the people of Kelantan but what saddens us is that the state government give assistance only to those who support them," he said.

Nozula meanwhile praised the attitude of Kelantan Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob whom he described as more courteous in making his statements compared to some of the other PAS assemblypersons who frequently made rude allegations.

- Bernama