DATIN Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail may be Malaysia's first woman Opposition Leader, but she was given a rough initiation to the job.While debating on the motion of thanks on the royal address, she was constantly interrupted by MPs from both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat from the beginning till the end.
She was challenged and even told to leave the country if she felt there was nothing good about Malaysia.
When she gave way to Datuk Ismail Abd Mutalib (BN – Maran), the latter told her: “From your speech, I hear nothing good about this country. There is not a word of thank you. If Malaysia is that bad, then relocate to another country. I am upset to hear what you have to say.”
Dr Wan Azizah, replied: “There are good things in my speech. Didn’t you hear them? When you face selective prosecution, when you are assaulted and told to strip (referring to her husband Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim), how would you feel?
“Can’t you take constructive criticism in the Dewan? Is that the way, asking people to leave the country after listening to criticism?”
Khairy Jamaluddin (BN – Rembau) stood up about 10 times to seek clarification. Dr Wan Azizah gave way on several occasions.
Khairy pointed out that the decline in foreign direct investment, and issues related to subsidy, concessionaire, and sanctity of contract were a “legacy problem” inherited from the 1990s, when Anwar was Finance Minister.
Dr Wan Azizah retorted: “If that was a problem in the past, can’t the current Cabinet change it?”
When she spoke on the New Economic Policy, which she claimed only benefited a small group of bumiputras, Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN – Pasir Salak) rebutted: “That is a serious allegation. UnIslamic accusation.”
However, Dr Wan Azizah did not give way to him. A frustrated Tajuddin then asked: “Why? Are you scared?”
Among other Barisan MPs who interrupted her speech were Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi (Batu Pahat), Mohd Nor Othan (Hulu Terengganu), Datuk Ismail Kasim (Arau), and Ahmad Maslan (Pontian).
Dr Wan Azizah urged the Prime Minister to shed light on the status of the report to be submitted to the Government by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the controversial “Lingam video clip”.
“The exposure of the controversial V.K. Lingam video tape involving the brokering of judges is just the tip of the iceberg, as there were other cases involving prosecution against former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Guan Eng and Wee Choo Keong,” she said.
Wee Choo Keong (PKR – Wangsa Maju) stood up to seek clarification, saying that the Royal Commission into the Lingam video clip was supposed to submit its findings to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Government on March 11. Then, it was announced that submission would be delayed to April 11.
“Today is May 5 and we still do not know what happened to the report,” said Wee.
Dr Wan Azizah also challenged the Prime Minister to set up an independent commission to probe alleged misappropriation and abuse of funds related to the purchase of military assets
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