OPPOSITION MPs trained their guns on Tourism Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said yesterday over the termination of the memorandums of understanding on tourism in the five Pakatan Rakyat-ruled states.

But despite the onslaught, she proved her mettle by not giving way to M. Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) or Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) who led the charge.

The mercury rose during her winding-up on points raised by MPs on the motion of thanks to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for his Royal Address.

Azalina began by saying that the MoU were terminated because of differences in policy approach and implementation of tourism programmes between the federal government and the five respective state governments.

She added that the Kelantan government had not paid the salary of three tourism officials following the completion of a tourism programme in the state.
This led to howls of protests from opposition MPs, who also disagreed with her statement that the BN government did not practise discrimination nor end tourism programmes which were beneficial.

She said the federal government also did not stop state officers from carrying out their duties.

"We did not do like what Perak did," she said, which raised the hackles of opposition MPs who jumped to their feet to castigate her for the remark.

There were a few moments of utter confusion as Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee tried to placate opposition MPs who wanted to speak.

"Please Yang Berhormat, sit down. The minister does not want to give way," he said.

A defiant Azalina added that she had replied to queries from the opposition on the matter.

To this, Kulasegaran cited a point of order that she could not have replied as she had been reading from a prepared text.

"That does not go against the standing order," said a flustered Kiandee.

Kulasegaran, however, did not give in, adding that Azalina also did not properly explain the reasons behind the termination of the MoU.

"She only did not give way ... that is her right (not to explain)," Kiandee said.

At this juncture, Datuk Wan Rahim Wan Abdullah (Pas-Kota Baru) joined the fray by demanding an explanation from Azalina over her earlier reply that Kelantan did not pay the officers for three months.

"There is no such thing. Please explain," he said.

Azalina said officials from her ministry had told her about the matter.

As Wan Rahim sought further clarification, Kiandee said Azalina was not bound by the standing order to reply to the Pas MP.

At this point, Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) rose to file a motion to refer Azalina to the Rights and Privileges Committee for allegedly misleading the house with her answer on the termination of the MoU.

He said Azalina's answer on the issue did not address the reasons behind the decision to cancel tourism promotion and campaigns in the five states.

"The programmes are not listed in the calendar of events and the website of the ministry," he said.

Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) seconded Azmin's motion.

Kiandee, however, said there was no need to refer Azalina to the committee.

Datuk Sirigan Gubat (BN-Ranau) stood up to defend Azalina, saying that standing order 43 of the Dewan Rakyat stated that the speaker's decision was final in the matter.

Kiandee then overruled Lim's and N. Gobalakrishnan's (PKR-Padang Serai) objections that MPs had the final say on the motion and ordered proceedings to continue.