Fong asks PM to explain his Umno speech to Parliament

(Bernama) – The debate on Budget 2011 at the Dewan Rakyat became heated today when a DAP MP said that the speech of Datuk Seri Najib Razak at the Umno General Assembly had frightened her.

Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) angered Barisan Nasional MPs when she declared that the Prime Minister and Umno President should explain his utterances.

She was referring to Najib’s call on Umno and Barisan members to defend Putra Jaya, the seat of government, at all costs.

She read out an excerpt of the speech, and said the Prime Minister should be at the Dewan Rakyat to explain his remarks.

Datuk Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) rose several times to interject, but Fong refused to give way.

Mohamed persisted, saying: “ I wish to clarify to you …all those were proverbial phrases meant to lift the spirit. You (Fong) don’t understand Malay proverbs ….No need for explanation on the speech.”

Dewan speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia reminded Mohamed that he could not interject without Fong giving way.

Mohamed later said that Najib had used proverbs to raise the spirit of the Malays. There was never any intention to cause animosity.

“Our Prime Minister is a responsible man,” he said.