The question and answer session in the Penang state assembly kicked off today with state opposition leader Jahara Hamid being accused of inciting a flash mob by BN supporters in front of Taman Manggis.

The protest was held on March 25 by a group of Malay NGOs, supported by BN component parties like Umno, MCA and Gerakan, who condemned the Penang government of selling state land meant for public housing.

It started with Penang executive councillor in-charge of housing Jagdeep Singh Deo replying to Jahara’s written question on whether the current state administration had a proposal for public housing (housing for the poor) in Taman Manggis.

Jagdeep did not answer her, and went on to say Jahara incited the flash mob because she appeared on TV3 condemning the state government for selling state land which was supposed to be earmarked for public housing.

Jagdeep accused Jahara of having “malicious intentions” (niat jahat) to incite the flash mob.

The Dato Keramat assemblyperson cited a July 2003 memo - which was exposed by Gerakan - and which Jahara used for her press conference on March 25 to show that there was a proposal to build public housing in Taman Manggis.

Jagdeep (photo) asked Jahara if she remembered being present at the state executive council meeting in 2005 which rejected the proposal, and instead proposed that the plot on Taman Manggis to be used for mix-development including a government quarters.

Those present at the meeting were former Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon and ex-state exco Teng Chang Yeow.

“I don’t remember, that is why I am asking (if there is any proposal for public housing on Taman Manggis),” Jahara shot back.

Jagdeep slammed her for saying she cannot remember the exco meeting but could remember a 2003 memo and used it to condemn the present state government.

“You should have checked whether the July 2003 memo was true or not,” Jagdeep said.

“Please direct your questions on public housing to Koh and Teng who were both present at the meeting in 2005 which decided that land be used for mixed development and government quarters,” he added.

Jagdeep asked to show proof

Jahara told Jagdeep to show proof that she had incited the flash mob outside Taman Manggis, the portion which faced Jalan Burma.

She told Jagdeep not to “manipulate the facts” about Taman Manggis, which became infamous after Umno Tasek Gelugor MP Shabudin Yahya had said its sale was linked to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s purchase of a bungalow on Jalan Pinhorn below market price at RM2.8 million in 2015.

“Don’t use that intonation on me, this is not a court house, you can go back to court to practice if you wish to use this tone,” Jahara castigated Jagdeep for raising his voice at her.

To which Jagdeep replied: “I have stopped practising for some time, which is why I am doing it here.”

During an additional question time, DAP Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer showed a video clip on his mobile phone featuring Jahara at a press conference on Taman Manggis.

Rayer said he was showing proof on how Jahara incited the flash mob.

“The BN government did not have any sincere plan to build public housing on Taman Manggis but has bad intentions to twist facts to undermine the present Penang government, to make the rakyat perceive us negatively,” he said.

“Does the state government plan to take any action against this manipulation of facts?” Rayer asked Jagdeep, to which the latter replied that he was considering some actions.

Jahara defended herself by saying that the press conference featured in the TV3 video clip was in the evening, while the flash mob was held outside Taman Manggis at noon.