Media Statement on BN's Walking Out

Media Statement by ADUN Canning and Secretary to Pakatan’s Back Benchers’ Club YB Wong Kah Woh on 26.06.2008 (Thursday) at the Perak State Assembly:

The decision by the Barisan Nasional’s Representatives to walk out from the Dewan is most regretted and it is another betrayal of the trust and mandate of the People. They have in themselves rejected their rights to speak for the People.

The Barisan Nasional’s Reps had left the floor purportedly in protest of the Speaker by allowing ADUN Teja (Pakatan-PKR) to debate the motion of Royal Address instead of calling ADUN Kubu Gajah (BN-UMNO). The excuse to leave the floor is most unfounded and unreasonable.

I would say the Speaker presiding the Dewan had acted in a fair way in allowing the ADUNs to speak since the first day of sitting. Among the 13 ADUNs from the floor whom had spoken during the First day, 7 of were from Pakatan while 6 were BN’s. The Opposition Leader YB Dato’ Seri Tajol Rosli was even given as long as 2 hours to speak compared to the rest 20-30 minutes.

Indeed, Kubu Gajah was allowed and called to speak when he stood up at 7 p.m. in the first day’ sitting. It was the BN’s Reps who requested for the House been adjourned and postponed Kubu Gajah’s debate.

The threat of walking out from the House as launched against the Speaker by the BN’s Reps in an attempt to force the Speaker to accede to their request is also unparliamentarian and uncalled for. Maybe, it is time for the BN to learn, after 51 years in Perak, on how to become a proactive and productive Opposition.