The Star: Ku Li ponders invite to head oil royalty caucus
TENGKU Razaleigh Hamzah (BN-Gua Musang) is a politician whose popularity never really wanes, whether he’s in the Opposition or in the ruling coalition.
Just last week, the veteran politician found himself still very much sought after.
The former Finance Minister and Petronas chairman when the Petroleum Development Act came into force, is now considering an invitation by the Pakatan Rakyat to lead an Opposition-proposed caucus on the Kelantan oil royalty controversy.
Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PKR-Permatang Pauh) issued the invitation to join the caucus to draft a bill for oil producing states to receive royalty,
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the Barisan Nasional whip, has left it to Tengku Razaleigh to make up his mind but discouraged other backbenchers from joining the caucus even though it is an informal group.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abd Aziz is of the view that the Barisan MPs would have to toe the line on this matter, especially since Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had spoken on it in the House.
Nazri had once led a parliamentary caucus on human rights where Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) was his deputy, but he says the Government has made its stand known on this caucus.
Newly-elected MPs like Er Teck Hwa (DAP–Bakri) and Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj (PSM–Sungai Siput) , are far from the iconic status that “Ku Li” holds but they are making their mark in the House through their efforts to bring issues close to the heart for parliamentary deliberation.
During the Budget debate on the Agriculture Ministry at committee stage, Er stood up about 20 times before he got the chance to speak. And he did that for other ministries as well.
“I would have given up if I were you,” a backbencher told him. But his patience paid off.
And staying back whenever the day’s sitting was extended till late has earned Er, 36, the reputation of being a hard working and dedicated MP.
The former fitness centre general manager not only remains during the late sittings but takes the trouble to prepare questions, with the help of three assistants, to ask in the House.
His bahasa pasar level does not deter him from speaking in Bahasa Malaysia even as he struggles to finish reading his prepared text.
And last week, he made sure to stay back three consecutive nights and ask questions of the deputy minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industries, Plantation Industries and Commodities; and of Rural and Regional Development.
“I feel bad if I do not try to get a chance to speak,” said Er, who has friends on both sides of the political divide.
And to all his new friends, he extends the same invitation: “Please come to Bakri (his constituency) with your family and try the mee there.”
Dr Jeyakumar, on the other hand, has used the debate on the Budget at committee stage, to file a motion to cut RM10 from a minister’s salary on Tuesday.
His target – Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha. The motion will only be discussed in the House on Dec 8.
He filed the motion after complaints by the residents of a flat in First Garden in Ipoh where the management corporation has amassed huge bills for water and assessment.
“The residents came to see me five years ago and we are still trying to find a way to help them,” said Dr Jeyakumar.
PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa caused a bit of a flutter on Monday when he was wheeled out to a waiting ambulance and rushed to the National Heart Institute (IJN).
The Bachok MP had complained of chest pains and Datuk Kamaruddin Jaffar (PAS–Tumpat), who sits next to him, accompanied him to the clinic in Parliament building when he was feeling uneasy.
The doctor there recommended that the MP be sent to the IJN.
Trying to avoid attention, Nasharuddin chose to leave the Parliament building by using a service lift at the back of the Parliament building but the ambulance was waiting at the front entrance, forcing him to go out that way.
The Dewan Rakyat resumes tomorrow.
