Takiyuddin, Rayer clash in Parliament over Indian community housing budget

KUALA LUMPUR: A war of words broke out in the Dewan Rakyat between Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan and RSN Rayer regarding the housing budget for the Indian community under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).

Takiyuddin (PN-Kota Baru) questioned why there was none for the Indian community, particularly estate workers without homes under the 13MP.

“And since there is a master plan for Chinese New Villages, I also want to ask why there is no master plan for the development of the Indian community, especially for the plantation workers, who we know do not have their own houses,” he said while debating the 13MP, in parliament Tuesday (Aug 12).

This irked Rayer (PH-Jelutong), who then stood up to interject, saying that he was factually wrong about the allocations for the Indian community.

Rayer then cited Standing Orders against Takiyuddin for allegedly trying to mislead the Parliament.

Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah, who was standing in to chair the proceedings, reminded Rayer to respect the standing orders and to allow Takiyuddin to explain his remarks.

Rayer then accused Takiyuddin of ignoring allocations in the 13MP after the Chinese New Village provision, stating that funds would be provided to repair dilapidated homes for the Indian community.

Takiyuddin denied such accusation, repeatedly saying: “I never said that… listen properly.”

Takiyuddin clarified that he had inquired about a development plan for the Indian community, particularly for estate workers without homes.

Earlier, another commotion broke out when Rayer expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of action taken against Datuk Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang), who raised racial issues while linking them to the May 13, 1969 racial riots during the RMK13 debate session last week.

The situation became more chaotic when Awang also stood up to inform that he had not yet received the letter submitted by the Speaker, Tan Sri Johari Abdul, regarding the matter.

However, Johari said that he would make a ruling after receiving a written explanation from Awang over the matter.