Tempers flare over alleged attempts to topple Warisan

(Feedly.com) – The alleged attempts to topple the Parti Warisan Sabah-led state government saw tempers flaring between two Sabah lawmakers in the Dewan Rakyat.Datuk Azis Mohd Jamman (Warisan-Sepanggar) and Datuk Mohamad Alamin (BN-Kimanis) traded barbs, forcing Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said to call for order.

It all started when Azis revealed that there was forced “coercion” on Sabah’s leaders to switch allegiance to Perikatan Nasional, with “agents” ordering elected representatives to party hop.

“This is far from what the Yang di-Pertuan Agong advised in his Royal Address, ” he said when debating the motion of thanks on the Royal Address yesterday.

Azis, a former Deputy Home Minister under the previous Pakatan Harapan government, said he accompanied Isnaraissah Munirah Majlis (Warisan-Kota Belud) to lodge a police report on Wednesday over what he termed as harassment through WhatsApp by an individual asking her to switch support to Perikatan.

He showed a screenshot of the message and read it out: “I have been instructed by No.1 to get in touch with you. I have an offer. Can we talk? Let me know when it’s convenient to talk. YB, Sabah is about to change hands, don’t miss this golden opportunity, take my offer. Meet me in KL.”

Azis claimed that he was informed that even some police personnel had been roped in to coax certain leaders in Sabah to switch allegiance.

“I hope this is not true. That is why I hope the Home Minister will investigate the matter. This is a form of harassment and corruption, ” he added.

Mohamad interjected at this juncture, citing Standing Order 36(12) that Azis was misleading the House with his unfounded allegations.

Azalina then asked Azis to move on with his debate and focus on other issues.

However, Mohamad kept interrupting and insisted on being given the floor, with Azis refusing to give way.

Azalina stepped in to say that parliamentarians enjoyed immunity in the House and can raise any matter, saying: “It is his (Azis) floor and he is not giving way. If he is making allegations and you are not happy with it, ask him to repeat them outside.

“If it is not true, then you may sue him, ” Azalina told Mohamad, who took up the advice.

Speaking to reporters later, Mohamad said a change of government in Sabah “is just a matter of time”, declaring: “They are counting their days now.”