A SHOUTING match broke out in the Dewan Rakyat this afternoon after a backbencher labelled a Kelantan exco’s suggestion to turn the monsoon season in the state into a tourism event as “a dumb idea”.
Jimmy Puah (PH-Tebrau) expressed outrage over state tourism, culture, arts and heritage committee chairman Kamarudin Noor’s suggestion, accusing him of being insensitive.
"You are attempting to capitalise on the suffering of flood victims in Kelantan.
“How can we take their sufferings as attractions for tourism?
“The suggestion is insensitive and dumb,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat when debating the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry (NRES) Budget 2025 at the committee stage.
Kamarudin had earlier suggested activities like surfing and promoting monsoon-specific food to attract tourists.
He later clarified that his comments were aimed at marketing the monsoon season, not the floods.
Datuk Dr Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa) stood up and also clarified that the suggestion was to promote “monsoon season” as opposed to “flooding”.
He also urged Puah to retract his statement.
However, Puah stood by his statement and argued that the monsoon season is often synonymous with flooding.
A shouting match lasted a few minutes before presiding speaker Suhaizan Kaiat requested Puah to retract his statement.
Following further objections from the opposition, Puah withdrew his “very stupid” remark and substituted it with “not smart”.
“I retract the word ‘dumb’ (rather the idea) was ‘not smart’,” said Puah in concession. - December 2, 2024
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