KOTA KINABALU – Sabah opposition leaders caused an uproar in the state assembly today after Datuk Christina Liew refused to answer all questions raised by them in her ministerial winding-up speeches.
In one instance, Liew, who is the state tourism, culture, and environment minister, appeared to play coy over the status of the Environment Impact Assessment of the sand mining activities in Kudat, the northernmost part of Sabah.
She said she has already answered the question posed by Jannie Lasimbang (Kepayan-DAP) during the one-hour oral question-and-answer session earlier in the morning.
However, Liew did not answer the question, which was listed as question item 21, while the session only lasted up to question item 6.
Liew appeared agitated when Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Senallang-Warisan) interjected during her winding-up speech.
“Senallang, can you let me finish first? It is a long way to go. I’m sorry. Must you ask now?
“I am sorry, Datuk Seri. Can you give me 10 minutes? Thank you very much. I will be very fast,” she told Shafie.
Liew appeared to refuse further interjections after a couple of questions later from Datuk Darell Leiking (Moyog-Warisan) and additional questions from Datuk Yusof Yacob (Sindumin-GRS).
She then denied the interjection from Assafal Alian (Warisan-Tungku), saying she needs to finish her speech first.
“I have already answered three of your questions (earlier),” said Liew.
Calvin Chong (Elopura-Warisan) did not have the opportunity to ask his question, as Liew immediately made the closing remark to her speech.
This caused an uproar among the opposition leaders, with Shafie insisting that the assemblymen have the right to seek answers.
The speaker then responded that the minister can still respond to them in writing.
Sariffudin Hatta (Merotai-Warisan), Assafal and Chong then stood up and demanded the minister have all their questions answered.
The speaker then muted all their microphones.
The live sitting visual was then blurred as the arguments became more heated.
Shafie then cited a standing order insisting lawmakers have the right of reply, regardless of whether the minister was uncertain in responding.
“It can be a written reply, but it is more important if all answers are made known to the public.
“The people have the right to information, they need to be included as well as those in the tourism sector,” he said.
Meanwhile, Industrial Development and Entrepreneurial Minister Phoong Jin Zhe said the conditions of the EIA given to the glass and solar manufacturer firm, Kibing, were dynamic and its conditions could be amended at any time according to its suitability.
Several consultations have been carried out including getting the views of affected communities in the work to prepare for the EIA, he said.
“The EIA report is also open for the public to view. It is now being displayed at the office of Sabah’s Environmental Protection Department,” he said. – The Vibes, May 24, 2023
