Zaid ticked off over 'false allegations'
Malaysiakini.com
May 27, 2008 
Soon Li Tsin 

Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) stole the thunder today as he ticked off
MCPX
de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim for making “false allegations” about him.

abdullah ahmad badawi looking leftDuring the debate on the Supplementary Supply Bill, Tajuddin stood up to deny having made any statements that insulted Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (right) or that have gone against the government.

"I want to deny that I made any speeches that insult the prime minister or which go against the government."

“It was very unparliamentary of (Zaid) to make these statements in public (containing) false allegations about me. I am concerned because this misleading information might even make Umno act against me.”

zaid ibrahim and umnoHe was referring to a New Straits Times report last Friday, which quoted Zaid (left) as having suggested that Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) should act against their members and parliamentarians who openly criticise government policies and the prime minister.

Asked if his remarks were targeted at anyone in particular, Zaid had said that he had heard statements by Mukhriz Mahathir (BN-Jerlun) and Tajuddin in Parliament.

Mukhriz had accused Zaid last week of being more keen on implementing the agenda of opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat.

Tajuddin’s tirade continued as he labelled Zaid as “irresponsible” for failing to understand the role of parliamentarians.

“Our role is to give our views and debate. It is not just parliamentarians from the opposition who can criticise the government - so can the backbenchers. I cannot agree with his prerogative but as the law minister, I hope he can carry out his tasks responsibly.

“But if this is his attitude, I urge the PM to re-examine his appointment,” he said to loud thumps on the tables by fellow backbenchers.

Qualified support

On the proposed Judicial Appointments Commission, Tajuddin expressed support for a transparent judiciary but disagreed with the dilution of the premier’s prerogative in this matter.

palace of justice 260207 01“As much as we want a transparent judiciary, we do not want the PM’s powers to be disappear just like that. I disagree with the removal of PM’s powers in the appointment process. Who wants to be PM if there are no powers?  

“What is important is that the powers remain, but the PM needs to execute it responsibly. How can this be construed as insulting the PM and going against the government?”

He then took a swipe at Zaid’s loyalty to Umno and the BN by comparing the length of their membership.

“I’ve been in BN and Umno for 36 years. I defend the PM and the government. But this minister, how long has he been in Umno and BN? He wasn’t even in the country in his constituency (Kota Bharu) during the elections,” he taunted.

Zaid was dropped as a candidate and did not contest in his former seat - Kota Bharu in Kelantan - in the 12th general election held on March 8.

rais yatimThe mood lightened when Tajuddin brought Foreign Affairs Minister Rais Yatim (left) into the equation.

“If the PM wants a legal expert to be the law minister, there are many other candidates in Umno. Even our foreign affairs minister has a PhD in law,” he said.  

Rais, who was present, covered his face with his hands and laughed, while the BN representatives thumped the tables.

Tajuddin concluded by demanding for an apology from Zaid.

“The minister as part of the Executive must learn how to take constructive criticism, be it from the opposition or backbenchers. I therefore ask Zaid to retract his statement and apologise,” he said, to more loud thumping of tables.

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