Lo apologises for DUN ‘slip of tongue’

KUCHING: A government backbencher put his apology on record yesterday for having uttered‘ bull shit’ in his debate speech delivered last Wednesday.

Lo Khere Chiang ( SUPP-Batu Kitang), who initially denied saying the indecent word in the august House last Friday, extended his apology upon a request by State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar.

“When I went back to listen to my own speech on Nov 7, I did hear ‘ bullshit’. I apologise for the slip of tongue on my part,” he said, adding that the word was a ‘regrettable’ remark and he would personally send his apology to the Chief Minister’s Office for the mistake made.

As Lo intended to go on with his statement without clear indication whether he would retract the word, Mohd Asfia interjected: “Do you withdraw or not?”

Without hesitation, Lo replied: “Yes, I withdraw.”

After this, he proposed to the House that Violet Yong ( DAPPending) withdraw the phrase ‘amok means gila- gila’ she used against Gabungan Parti Sarawak ( GPS) during the sitting last week.

According to him, the phrase was recorded on page 39 of the Hansard on Nov 8. He then read out part of an excerpt from the Hansard: “After Barisan Nasional ( BN) lost the federal power on May 9, GPS has since gone amok which means gila- gila...”

Lo argued that ‘ amok’ is an unparliamentary word that indicates violence among a group of people. He even added that the word was derogatory and very uncalled for, thus calling upon the House to demand Yong to retract the words used against GPS.

He said more than half of the members of the House are representing GPS, which is present ly making the right decision and trying to gain financial independence to run Sarawak.

Prior to this, he said Yong should be the one watching her tongue as he alleged that the Pakatan Harapan ( PH) government did not fulfil some of its election promises. Granted the f loor to defend herself, Yong said: “GPS is not a registered coalition yet and GPS can stand for Guna Pun Salah”.

She asserted that people can look up ‘amok’ in an Oxford dictionary while stressing that she did not particularly refer the word to any member of the House.

“Amok is an English word. I’m saying GPS, and not GPS government. I am not saying Batu Kitang. I did not mention any names. I don’t see why I should withdraw.” Unless any member from the ruling bench can prove to the House that GPS is a legal entity, Yong said she would not retract the word.

She added: “Let it ( amok) be there (in the Hansard).”

Just then, Mohd Asfia read to the House what Yong said last Thursday when she touched on the word, adding that ‘ amok’ derives from Latin and also a Malay word.

“First, did you say this word or not?” he asked Yong.

Seemingly innocent, Yong gave this response: “Which one?”

When Mohd Asfia pointed out the word, Yong offered similar defence by tel ling the House that GPS could stand for ‘Guna Pun Salah’. She insisted that she mentioned only GPS and was not directing it at any assembly person.

She was adamant in her refusal to have ‘amok’ expunged from the Hansard by confirming: “No ( I don’t withdraw), let it be there.” Left with little choice, Mohd Asfia said it would be up to any member from the ruling coalition to file a motion on the issue, to which Yong was heard commenting ‘ small matter’, believed to be referring to the word she used.