Last Wednesday I was lucky enough to be able to get a spot to debate the Foreign Affairs Ministry allocation at committee stage of Budget 2013.
I suggested the government allow Rohingiya refugees to work legally in Malaysia.
I also criticised our Foreign Minister for picking on Singapore when many foreign diplomats have been observing the Bersih 3.0 rally. I said the diplomats were doing their jobs, just like all the foreign media.
I also questioned the necessity of summoning German ambassador over the embassy’s donation to SUARAM. I said it is the policy of some embassies for supporting human rights programme. What is RM5,000 compare to the RM40 million political fund to UMNO Sabah?
Summoning ambassadors for petty reasons by the foreign minister is very undiplomatic, and this will hurt the image of our government.
In the debate I also took the opportunity to take a swipe at Najib. I said the President of Burma has openly said that he will transfer power to Aung San Suu Kyi should she win the general election. However, when Sdr Lim Kit Siang asked Najib whether he will transfer power peacefully to Pakatan Rakyat should we win the general elections, Najib dare not answer him. Isn’t Barisan Nasional worse than the Burmese regime?
At this point the Speaker said “time’s up”.
I was so happy that I have made a point and managed to say something that I have been wanting to say in Parliament for some time… 🙂
Please see the Debate video clip