PARLIAMENT | A minor commotion erupted in the Dewan Rakyat today after Shahidan Kassim (PN–Arau) claimed that DAP had wanted to shut down the Community Development Department (Kemas).

Shahidan initially called for the audit of opposition MP allocations that had allegedly been channelled to government agencies, with specific mentions of Kemas, and ruling party division heads who have lost in elections.

“I ask for the audit of the allocations - who was it given to? I don’t know. It was said that it was given to Kemas.

“DAP wanted to close Kemas. We (the opposition MPs) fought to defend Kemas,” he claimed when debating a bill on amendments to the Audit Act 1957 in the August House today.

Shahidan’s remarks drew objections and interjections from three DAP parliamentarians - Teresa Kok (Harapan-Seputeh), RSN Rayer (Harapan-Jelutong), and Syerleena Abdul Rashid (Harapan-Bukit Bendera).

They demanded for Shahidan to show proof and retract his statement, and a shouting match ensued.

“When did DAP say it wants to close Kemas? We (DAP) have never said we want to close Kemas, Arau (Shahidan),” Kok stressed.

‘Liar’

Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Alice Lau then asked Shahidan to provide evidence to back his claims but the request was dismissed by the latter.

Shahidan then momentarily withdrew his statement but quickly clarified his claims by saying, “Harapan wanted to close Kemas. DAP is a component party of Harapan, who wanted to shut down Kemas.”

Further irked by Shahidan’s claims, Rayer repeatedly called for the retractment of the statement and accused Shahidan of lying.

“Withdraw the statement, Arau (Shahidan)! Don’t lie!” Rayer shouted.

Lau asked Rayer to file a motion to request Shahidan to prove his claims.

“If he (Shahidan) can’t provide any evidence, we will refer him to the Rights and Privileges Committee,” Lau asserted.

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