KUALA LUMPUR – Dr Kelvin Yii (Bandar Kuching-PH) has written to the Dewan Rakyat speaker to refer Dr Halimah Ali (Kapar-PN) to the Parliamentary Committee of Privileges over her controversial claims on the Menu Rahmah campaign.
Dr Yii said Dr Halimah’s claims had confused the House and could be considered a sign of contempt.
He requested that Datuk Johari Abdul have her brought to the committee in accordance with Section 36 (12) of the Standing Orders.
Dr Halimah had previously made a statement during her speech that the Menu Rahmah movement could lead to risks of ailments, including cancer and autism.
Nonetheless, she denied making such claims, and asserted that the Hansard would prove her innocence.
However, a check by The Vibes with the Hansard for Parliament’s sitting on February 14 revealed that the lawmaker had indeed said that those who opt for Menu Rahmah offerings could be exposed to various ills.
“I have no problem with the term ‘rahmah’ but don’t let (the initiative) get to the point where low-income citizens are given low-quality food supplies (that) might cause them to be exposed to cancer, autoimmune disease, autism, and so on,” she was quoted as saying in the Hansard.
Dr Halimah had previously drawn flak for her comment, with Dewan Negara member Senator Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi labelling the statement as an insult to the disabled community in Malaysia.
In a statement today, Dr Yii rebutted her claims as untrue and irresponsible, as she had made arguments not based on facts and science.
He added that her statement could lead to misunderstandings and stigma towards the autistic and disabled communities in Malaysia.
“The Kapar MP has been given numerous opportunities to apologise and retract her statement,” he said.
“But she continued to confuse the House, and denied ever making the comment in several public statements, including a statement in the House where she told us to refer to the Hansard to prove that the comment was never uttered,” he added.
Section 36 (12) of the Standing Orders of the Dewan Rakyat states that “any member who imputes statements that mislead the House is deemed to be in contempt of the House and the member may be referred to the Committee of Privileges for the offence”. – The Vibes, February 21, 2023
