Dewan Diary Day 7: Has DUN's Roof Fallen?

By Wong Ho Leng
22nd May, 2007

Has the Dewan’s roof fallen? I checked before leaving. It is still there, but must have shaken a little. Never before in the history of Sarawak’s DUN had there been such a commotion.

Never before has the Opposition Parties been smeared to this extent and in that venomous manner. It was absolutely bad taste that this could come from the DCM and who could be allowed to smear the Opposition parties in that manner.

A new chapter is written in the history book of Sarawak. The Opposition members erupted in protest against the DCM for telling untruths in the Dewan.

This morning, I was arguing with Soon Koh because he accused in the Dewan that I had made disparaging remarks against the civil service. The accusation was wrong, most unfair and most unjustified. Yet, in total exhibition of unfairness, the Speaker allowed the Minister to say it. The BN backbenchers were prepared to side the Minister. The Dacing was “sengit”, but I never thought that it could be so “sengit”.

But my altercation with Soon Koh was nothing compared to what happened shortly after 6:00 p.m. Jabu accused the DAP and KeADILan of oppressing the rural people against development. The Hansard recorded that we protested that this is a pack of lies. Decorum meant nothing when the law of the streets had to take over. An Assistant Minister challenged Dominique to a fight. “Babi”, “monkeys”, “animals”, were hauled against “honourable” members. It is a shameful day.

Jabu said he could substantiate all that he said but produced nothing. He claimed that in Rh Christopher in 2005 Anwar-led KeADILan led the people to go against development. He said that on 10.10.1994 DAP asked the people in Kanowit to reject NCR land development.

How untrue! Chong and I fought to defend the dignity of DAP. Chong called Jabu a liar. The Speaker asked him to withdraw. Chong refused and said he could substantiate it. I wanted Jabu to be honest. Jabu’s allegation was perverse and most unjustified. When I was in the Dewan between 1996 and 2001 Jabu made the same accusation against the DAP. I had there and then written to Jabu to ask for more details so that I could investigate. I saw Jabu take my letter from the Dewan’s staff, gave me a nod but no information was given. I went back and checked what happened. The incident in Kanowit had nothing to do with the DAP. What a lie that Jabu said the same thing now. In the commotion, I had it recorded in the Hansard that Jabu received my letter and I challenged him to be honest about it. He did not deny that. Yet, he did not withdraw what he said against the DAP. DAP has never been anti-development, so long as the development is meaningful. We have never been against NCR land development. How on earth could DAP have oppressed the natives against development? How could we oppressive anybody without power in our hand?

Dominique, the only standard bearer of KeADILan, fought hard to defend his party. He challenged Jabu to repeat what he said outside the Dewan so that he could sue him. Incensed, he challenged the authority of the Speaker and shouted until his voice turned hoarse. The Speaker insisted that Jabu proceed. How unfair that we could not have our say against the most baseless accusations? Whatever voice of the Opposition meant nothing to the Speaker. That is BN’s formula of fairness.

A dark day befalls DUN Sarawak. The details follow...