[UPDATED] Deepak tried to ‘silence’ me over egg import issue: Wee

KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong (Ayer Itam-BN) has called out Deepak Jaikishan in the Dewan Rakyat and accused the local businessman of attempting to “silence” him over the importation of eggs from India.

Wee also revealed that Deepak was allegedly curtailing his rights as a parliamentarian in a 9.51am call yesterday.

He added that Deepak in the call claimed that the matter was discussed with “PMO” for Wee to produce a statement.

However, the details of what should be included in the statement was not shared by Wee.

Wee then lashed out saying he will not be cowed into silence for doing his job as a parliamentarian, which is to raise concerns voiced by the people among other things.

“I have not said your name or your company’s name or anything of the sort. Why are you telling me to come out with a statement to correct what I have raised (in the Dewan Rakyat).

“I, as a representative of the people, am merely raising their concerns.”

Earlier it was reported that J&E Advance Tech Sdn Bhd had sent Wee letters of demand following his claims that it takes four to five weeks to import eggs via sea passage and that eggs from India were of lower quality.

Wee then thanked Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul for his letter reminding that MPs enjoy legal immunity for anything said in Parliament.

Wee also claimed that Deepak will take legal action if they do not come to an understanding.

“What is this? Have you no respect for this letter (by the Dewan Rakyat Speaker)? This can be considered as contempt of parliamentary proceedings.

“Speaker, we must be clear in this matter… and I also do not understand the name ‘PMO’ being used here.”

Datuk R. Ramanan (Sg Buloh-PH) also chimed in, saying it was “unethical” and a form of “intimidation” for any parties to use the Prime Minister’s Office or Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s name to hinder any parliamentarian from conducting their duties.

Wee explained that he had talked personally to Anwar about the egg importation issue during MCA’s Chinese New Year open house on January 22.

“I have talked to him specifically about egg imports from India and I disagree with it. The prime minister listened at the time, and I said we need to find a solution to the matter.

“I think that (discussion) does not indicate any form of instruction from the prime minister. People are just using his name,’’ he said, stressing that name-dropping is heinous behaviour.

Wee added that as a parliamentarian, he will not be a pawn for any companies and will remain true to his mandate, which is representing his constituents. – The Vibes, March 15, 2023