The request was made by Ben Chong (Warisan-Tanjong Kapor) more than halfway through the sitting to debate the governor’s speech. Several assemblymen had already spoken earlier, including state opposition leader Shafie Apdal.
Assembly speaker Kadzim M Yahya had explained in the morning that the assemblymen were only allocated a limited amount of time to speak and that the meeting would be adjourned at 3.30pm.
When it was Chong’s turn to debate at 2.30pm, he invoked Standing Order 2 that stipulated the time for the debate must follow the rules of the meeting and should be extended.
He said assemblymen needed ample time to raise issues concerning the people with the aim of finding solutions.
At this point, DAP’s Luyang assemblyman Phoong Jin Zhe backed his opposition colleague, referring to the same standing order, saying the meeting should be extended until at least 5.15pm.
Tanjung Aru assemblyman Junz Wong, who is Warisan vice-president, then stood up, saying he understood the health ministry advised for a shortened meeting time but that the speaker could decide otherwise.
Deputy speaker George Ginibun, who chaired the meeting at the time, said the decision to shorten the debate time was due to the health ministry’s advice.
But Phoong interjected again, insisting it was only an advice, but the rules of the meeting stated that it must be extended to 5.15pm.
“I am not trying to pick a fight but these are the rules,” Phoong said.
At this point, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s (GRS) Pitas assemblyman Ruddy Awah, who is also the state science, technology and innovation assistant minister, shouted at Phoong that this was the rule given by the health ministry.
“This is not your rule, jangan buat kecoh Luyang (don’t create a ruckus),” Ruddy said.
He added: “We have rules, the speaker did not make them up. Why are you complaining about this now when the speaker has already explained earlier about this?” At this point, his microphone was turned off.
Warisan’s Merotai assemblyman Sarifuddin Hatta then tried to defuse the tension. “Please, any YB can stand up and voice their opinion but it is up to the speaker. There’s no need to fight … steady bah,” he said.
GRS ally and STAR’s Paginatan assemblyman Abidin Madingkir added his voice to the melee, saying no one had objected when the speaker explained the time allotted earlier in the morning.
“We have time to debate tomorrow. The speaker also said that those who did not have the opportunity will be given priority at the next sitting in November,” he said.
His GRS colleague, PBS’ Kiulu assemblyman Joniston Bangkuai, said it was unfair for those who had already spoken for the opposition to request a time extension midway through the session.
Back at his seat, Kadzim pointed out that the meeting this time must follow the advice given by the health ministry, reiterating that no one said anything when he explained about the shortened session.
“As such, we will keep to the 3.30pm adjournment time,” he said.