Kitingan, a deputy chairman of Gabungan Bersatu Sabah (GBS), was proposing the coalition’s alternative budget when Upko’s Paginatan rep Abidin Madingkir asked for a ruling from the deputy speaker, saying the session was to debate the chief minister’s budget speech, not the opposition’s alternative budget.
However, Kitingan continued tabling the budget, leading Ahmad to cite Standing Order 43 (1) to stop the Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) president from continuing his speech.
“You can make your statements and you can criticise, but you cannot make alternative budgets because the standing order prevents you from making any other alternative statements,” he said.
“You can make your statements in the newspapers, but not here. Otherwise, everyone will be talking about alternative budgets. Please restrain yourself.”
Kitingan tried to defend his speech, saying this was the first time he had been stopped from debating the budget speech.
“Well, there’ll be more coming up,” Ahmad said to him. “Please withdraw the alternative budget because it makes it seem as though the government is incompetent.”
Adding that he had to be fair, Ahmad said if Kitingan did not withdraw the budget, he would ask for the word “alternative” to be expunged from the Hansard.
However, Kitingan said he saw nothing wrong with proposing the alternative budget for the government’s consideration.
“This is my turn to speak… I will not withdraw because this is my right. Mr Speaker, you’re supposed to be fair to everybody,” he said.
The argument continued for over 15 minutes, with Umno’s Apas assemblyman Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan trying on two occasions to interject. Both attempts were denied by Ahmad.
“I have no alternative but ask the bentara (sergeant-at-arms) to remove (you) until end of the session this evening if you don’t withdraw,” he said.
Kitingan however refused to back down, saying Ahmad could remove him if he wished to do so.
“But I have a right,” he added.
He eventually appeared to relent, withdrawing the phrase “budget” from his speech although continuing to table the alternative budget.
Ahmad reminded him again not to speak on the alternative budget, while Kemabong assemblyman Jamawi Jaafar cited Standing Order 45 which states that a representative may only debate the chief minister’s speech and nothing else. He also asked Ahmad to stop Kitingan’s speech.
Ahmad agreed, saying Kitingan’s time was up. He then gave the floor to another assemblyman.
This upset Kitingan, who accused Ahmad of acting unfairly and asked whether democracy existed in the house.
PBS’ Kiulu assemblyman Joniston Bangkuai then stood up and said Ahmad had made an earlier ruling for Kitingan to continue, adding that it was unfair to revoke the decision.
Kitingan was allowed to continue his debate to the end but toned down on the alternative budget.