VETERAN DAP leader Lim Kit Siang proved that he was a masterful MP when he took on barbs and challenges thrown at him by his Barisan Nasional counterparts with ease.Debating the motion of thanks on the royal address, the Ipoh Timur representative allowed MPs, from both the Barisan and the Opposition, to seek clarification, letting them speak at length at times and turned the debate into a lively one.
When Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) kept interrupting him, Lim told him to “wait for your turn to speak” as the former got carried away and turned his question into a speech.
At one point, Tajuddin called on a point of order to gain access to rebut Lim, so much so that the DAP man told him to not abuse the Standing Orders.
“Maybe the Backbenchers Club should have classes to teach your MPs how to use the points of order in the House,” Lim said.
Even Datuk Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) left the Dewan after he failed to divert Lim.
He had an intense argument with Datuk Mukhriz Tun Mahathir (BN-Jerlun) when he touched on corruption and said now, even backbenchers talk about the need to fight bribery as well.
At one point, Mukhriz stood to say the Government under his father, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad took action against corruption, noting that even his former deputy Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was charged with abuse of power.
To that, Lim merely replied: “Itu satu sen pun tak ada. Apa corruption?” (In that case, not one sen was involved. What corruption?)
After the break, a witty Mukhriz chided Lim for using the term political tsunami repeatedly, pointing out that when the tsunami struck, people from “both sides” were affected.
“So please stop using the word,” he said.
Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) also had a taste of Lim’s wrath when he referred to Khairy as “the richest unemployed man” after he sold ECM Libra shares.
Khairy stood up to object, citing point of order, but Lim went on.
At one point, Lim told Khairy “This is not the fourth floor” as the latter started interjecting further.
Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed managed to “clamp” down on Lim slightly when he went on to estimate the sum allegedly gained from corruption by generalising it to a certain percentage.
“I don’t agree with you quoting the figure in such a way,” said Mohd Zin.
By that time, Lim who had held the floor for more than two hours, was told to conclude in 20 minutes.
He went on to talk about judicial reform and asked for a fair ex-gratia compensation to the individuals affected in the judicial crisis in 1988.
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