Resolution to suspend Guan Eng’s duties rejected

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GEORGE TOWN: The Penang state assembly yesterday rejected the emergency resolution to suspend the duties of Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for failing to reply to a written question as determined under Regulation 15 of the Penang State Legislative Assembly.

In rejecting the resolution by state opposition leader Datuk Jahara Hamid, Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang said the written reply was given to the elected representative yesterday morning.

“I do not want a debate on this resolution this morning. I am reminding everyone that replies have to be given to the elected representatives so they can be submitted for debate,” he said at the state assembly sitting here.

In the resolution, Jahara said the matter involved the credibility of the assembly in abiding by regulations.

“Never in the history of this assembly since the time of the late Tan Sri Wong Pow Nee, the late Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu and Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon has Regulation 15 been violated.

“They will present replies to questions as soon as the three-hour question and answer session is over.

“Regulation 15 has been observed by all the chief ministers of Barisan Nasional,” she said.

Under Regulation 15(1)(h), questions which have been provided and the responses must be settled before article (j) which is the tabling of the gazette.

Jahara said the chief minister had tabled the Supply Gazette 2015 before the reply to the written question was tabled.

“If regulations determined by the assembly can be easily changed without its approval, or can be  disregarded, how can the state government ensure its integrity in implementing laws which have been passed

by the assembly are observed by the public,” she said. — Bernama