JELUTONG MP RSN Rayer has expressed concern that recent claims made by an opposition MP in relation to Singapore’s first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew would put a strain on trade relations between Singapore and Malaysia.
Without mentioning the MP by name, Rayer said the claim had prompted many Malaysian-Singaporean businessmen to fret that their products would be shunned by Singaporeans.
“Will a statement by an MP linking Lee with communists affect efforts by the government to continue trade ties with Singapore?
“The MP’s foul mouth may affect two-way trade between Singapore and Malaysia,” Rayer said during committee stage debates on the Supply Bill 2024 today (Nov 15).
Kepala Batas MP Siti Mastura then stood up and asked Rayer to withdraw his comments.
“According to Standing Order 36(6), an MP should not imply that another MP has improper motives. I request that Jelutong withdraw his statement.
“I have given my statement (to the police) and there is no decision yet,” Siti Mastura, who was yesterday (Nov 14) summoned for questioning at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters and her lawyer later said they submitted “reference materials” to the police, said.
However, Rayer, who noted that he did not mention her name, dismissed her request.
“Don’t be so presumptuous, please sit down. Siapa yang makan cili, rasa pedas (loosely translated to ‘he who gets pinched feel the pain’) and sit down, I did not mention Kepala Batas’ name,” said Rayer.
Deputy Speaker Alice Lau also told the PAS MP to sit down and allowed Rayer to continue his debate.
“I stood up to debate because I realise the importance of trade between Malaysia and Singapore. There were complaints from Malay businesses who said they feared their products may be boycotted by Singapore.” Rayer added.
On Nov 4, Siti Mastura had alleged that Lim is related to Singapore’s first prime minister Lee and CPM leader Chin Peng at a PAS machinery gathering in Kemaman, Terengganu.
Following her accusation, Lim had given the PAS MP two days starting on Nov 7 to provide evidence or face legal action. The 48-hour deadline ended on Nov 9.
According to Lim, Siti Mastura made the allegation against him and his father, Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang, as well as Seremban MP Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Teluk Intan MP Nga Kor Ming, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and Beruas MP Datuk Ngeh Khoo Ham.
In a video Lim had shown to members of the media at Parliament on (Nov 7), Siti Mastura also claimed that the DAP leaders she mentioned shared blood ties.
In the same video clip, Siti Mastura, who is the deputy chief of PAS women’s wing, purported that Lim’s wife Betty Chew is the “cousin” of Kok, Local Government Development Minister Nga, and Ngeh.
After Siti Mastura failed to provide evidence by Thursday (Nov 9), Bagan MP Lim had appointed Datuk Sankara Narayanan Nair as his lawyer to file a lawsuit against the PAS lawmaker over the matter.
On Thursday (Nov 9) last week, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said lawmakers should speak based on facts and not cast accusations just because they have immunity in the Dewan Rakyat.
“I agree that one must not be historically illiterate, especially those who make such accusations.
“I believe even though we have immunity in this Noble House, we need to speak based on facts and not cast allegations on anyone or political parties in this country,” Zahid said when winding up the Rural and Regional Development Ministry’s reply on Budget 2024. – Nov 15, 2023
