Reps clash over discrepancies in Malaysia Cup final ticket sales
ALOR STAR: The generally calm debate session at the state assembly turned stormy when assemblymen from both sides of aisle clashed over alleged discrepancies in ticket sales for the recent Malaysia Cup football final.
Sparks flew when state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Datuk Amiruddin Omar responded to the issue in his winding-up speech.
Amiruddin, who is also the Kedah Football Association honorary secretary, was responding to Mohd Nasir Mustafa (PasKubang Rotan), who had requested for an explanation over the issue.
Nasir had wanted to know how many tickets were sold over the counter at the Darulaman Stadium here as thousands of fans were left frustrated when the tickets were sold out fast.
This triggered a furious response from BN backbenchers, including Mahadzhir Abdul Hamid (BNJeneri), Datuk Ali Yahya (BN-Pantai Merdeka) and Datuk Ahmad Lebai Sudin (BN-Bukit Lada).
Speaker Datuk Md Rozai Shafian had to intervene by ordering the assemblymen to sit down.
Ali said he had to buy tickets at Shah Alam Stadium for supporters from Pantai Merdeka.
“The opposition should not use this ticket issue for political mileage.”
In the match on Oct 4, Kedah lost 0-2 to Johor Darul Ta’zim.
Meanwhile, the state government’s effort to narrow the digital gap between urban and rural areas has hit a snag due to rampant telecommunications cable theft.
State Science, Innovation, Information Technology, Communications, High Tech and Human Capital Committee chairman Datuk Sabrina Mohd Noor said Kedah recorded the highest amount of losses from cable theft nationwide, at RM8.1 million.
She said Sungai Petani recorded the most number of cases at the state and national level, with losses amounting to RM5.6 million.
She said telecommunications companies (telcos) had been replacing the stolen cables but the thefts continued.
“These theft cases have affected consumers, as the (disruptions) keep occurring despite telcos replacing (the stolen cables),” she said in her winding-up speech.