Chow Kon Yeow: 曹观友

Shahrir has resigned as BN BBC chairman after BN MPs broke rank this morning in the vote to refer NST to the Committee of Privileges.

Shahrir supported the motion moved by Opposition Leader but Backbenchers voted to throw out the motion.

I think Shahrir has been seriously bruised by the turn of event. He has no more moral authority to stay on as chairman when his boys are so narrow-minded and not want to exert the independence of Parliament.

When Parliament begun its sitting at 10.10am this morning, Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang stood up on Standard Order 26(1) (p) to refer the NST to the Committee of Privileges for its Page 4 report about an MP, who allegedly asked the Custom and Excise Department in Malacca to close one eye on a case of importing sawn timber from Indonesia.

Kit Siang said that the motion to refer NST to the Committee of Privileges was not to take action against the newspaper but to protect the integrity of Parliament. Such report which does not named the MP concerned, has tarnish the good image of Parliament.

Speaker Tan Sri Ramli did not reject Kit Siang’s motion outright but instead when on to deal with the issue because he felt
MPs should decide whether to refer the NST to the Committee to protect the integrity of Parliament.

Umno MP for Larut, Raja Ahmad interjected and said it was unnecessary to do so.

Just then, Backbenchers Club chairman Datuk Shahrir (Johor Baru MP) spoke out in support. He had many times raised the need for Parliament to have the independence from the Executive. He also wanted Parliament to deal with such matters and not an outside agency.

His remarks made our day as we thought “Oh, that’s good, the motion will be accepted”.

But when Speaker called for a voice vote, the “Nay” vote from BN backbenchers was thunderous and the motion was not adopted.

Well, Shahrir must be puzzled why his Backbenchers are not together with him on this issue.

Who is the MP? Is the report true? What action would be taken against the MP if it is true?

These are some questions running through our minds. (more…)