'Coming in late means disrespect for the CM'

PENANG ASSEMBLY Penang legislative assembly speaker Law Choo Kiang has expressed dissatisfaction over tardiness and punctuality on the part of the the assemblypersons attending the current sitting that began on Monday.

Law said the absence of a number of assemblypersons this morning, when Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was delivering his winding up speech showed disrespect for him and the House.

"In certain periods, it (attendance and puntuality) is really not good at all, especially during the mornings and after the afternoon break," said Law (right), when asked about his review of the last four days of sitting.

"For example, I gave notice two days ago that Lim would be winding-up the debate today," he added.

"Despite this, there were only 13 representatives in the House, including Lim and two state executive councillors. This shows the lack of respect for the CM and the house."

Law said there was no excuse for assemblypersons coming in late.

Law, who is Bukit Tambun assemblyperson, said as he comes from Seberang Perai, he leaves his house by 7.30am and arrives on the island for his duty by 8.30am.

"So, there is no excuse for being late," he added.

'Racism' already defined in Standing Orders

As for the term ‘racism', Law said the Penang legislative assembly does not need to define it as it is already in the Standing Orders.

Law said the 40 assemblypersons - 30 from Pakatan Rakyat and 10 from the BN - should be aware of what constitutes a racist remark.

Elected assemblypersons have gone through the process of "screening" by the rakyat, they should therefore be aware of the issues to raise and to avoid.

"There are articles in the Standing Orders that deal with these kinds of remarks," Law, said when asked if he was satisfied with the proceedings which end today.

He was referring to Standing Order 46(17) that bars the use of treasonable and seditious words as well as words that are likely to promote feelings of ill-will or hostility among the different communities of the federation.

"Sometimes, the assemblypersons do raise such issues but I seldom interfere. I prefer them to debate, and after an exchange of ideas, they can come to a conclusion," said Law.

Law, who is also deputy Penang PKR chief, said debates and exchanges, even those touching on racism, are necessary as they also help build greater awareness among the multi-racial society by letting people hear both sides of the story.

On this, he was referring to the row between Pakatan and BN representatives during the debate on Penang's 2014 Budget after the latter questioned the state on the local council's selective prosecution of illegal businesses based on race.

As a result of constantly being reprimanded, BN's Pulau Betong assemblyperson Muhammad Farid Saad (above) proposed that the House comes out with a guideline on what constitutes racism.

The state assembly, which starts at 9.30am daily, needs only have a minimum quorum of 10 for the proceedings to begin.