By Amar Shah Mohsen
SHAH ALAM, Nov 24 — Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari described state Opposition lawmakers as being drama queens today in a raucous final day of the current Selangor State Legislative Assembly session.
This is after Perikatan Nasional (PN) state assemblymen acted in an unruly manner before staging a walkout in protest of the composition of several select committees announced today, as well as the decision to replace some of the names they proposed.
Addressing the remaining members of the House, he said the constant improper conduct of the Opposition is something the government lawmakers should get used to.
He lamented that PN assemblymen only seemed interested in playing up trivial matters like the composition of select committee members, something which could have been resolved amicably.
“Why (is this happening)? Because they do not have anything better to raise. It is okay if that is how they roll.
“We must make sure we maintain our decorum, and avoid being embroiled in political dramas and becoming drama queens in the state assembly, merely to seek attention.
“They (Opposition) will only feel it is fair if everyone listens to them, otherwise they will cry injustice. This is the problem with our Opposition today,” Amirudin said.
Citing today’s Friday sermon, he reminded all government lawmakers to not be drawn into squabbles with the Opposition and instead respond courteously to any attacks.
“There was a message that said if we treat and act nicely to those who are cruel to us, it will be as if we are putting fireballs into their mouths (masukkan bola api dalam mulut).
“The state government will act professionally and will not be embroiled in politicking. What is important is to think about bigger issues (affecting the rakyat),” Amirudin said.
Earlier this evening, the state assembly descended into chaos after Opposition leader Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali led fellow lawmakers in lambasting the Speaker Lau Weng San and the government bench for supposedly breaking an earlier agreement on the composition of the select committees.
He claimed the certain committees’ composition did not reflect the high number of PN lawmakers in the House, arguing that all committees should have at least three of their members.
Azmin also complained that some proposed names had been removed from the final list.
However, Lau remained firm and reminded the Hulu Kelang state assemblyman that the final decision on the matter rests with the Speaker. Outraged, the Opposition walked out of the assembly.
