Perak state assembly (update4) with pictures

2009/10/28

IPOH: The Perak state assembly session today started without the presence of the Opposition state assemblymen, who refused to enter the hall.

The state assembly sitting began with a minute of silence for the victims of yesterday's collapsed bridge in Kuala Dipang.

Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir then tabled the 2010 Budget for debate.

Authorities earlier prevented former Speaker V. Sivakumar from entering the hall because he was dressed in the Speaker's robe.

The Pakatan state representatives then gathered under a tree outside the state secretariat building, where Sivakumar reportedly issued a notice to the Opposition assemblymen that the "Perak state assembly" would be moved to the Heritage Hotel at 11am.

Speaker R. Ganesan, meanwhile, adjourned the sitting one hour and will resume at 11.20am.

Pakatan state assemblymen were not present at the start of the Perak state assembly sitting this morning. Pix from BH Online.

At 10.30am, Pakatan assemblymen were seen entering the hall with Sivakumar no longer wearing the Speaker's robe. He told reporters that the robe had been confiscated by the police.

Even though the sitting is adjourned, the Pakatan assemblymen started their own 'sitting' in the hall, beginning with S. Kesavan (PKR: Hutan Melintang) questioning R. Ganesan's validity as Speaker as he is still active as a lawyer.

BN assemblymen in the hall are seen chatting and ignoring these 'proceedings' as the session is still adjourned until 11.20am.

The PKR assemblymen stop their 'session' after realising they are not getting any response from the BN assemblymen.

11.29am: The Perak state assembly has resumed after a one hour break. Speaker R. Ganesan has asked assemblymen to debate the tabled state budget of RM179 million.

11.45am: PKR assemblymen ignore Speaker R. Ganesan and the ongoing sitting, standing and chatting among themselves. They then get up and leave the hall. Some of them are seen throwing the state budget document into the trash bin as they walk out.

The state budget is passed. The sitting continues with proposed amendments to several state enactments.

At a press conference held within the state secretariat building, Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin said the opposition assemblymen did not boycott the state assembly session, but rather left the hall as the sitting was adjourned by 'Speaker' V. Sivakumar.

12.55pm: Speaker R. Ganesan adjourns the state assembly session to another date to the determined later.

At his press conference, Dr Zambry said he was satisfied with today's state assembly proceedings which approved the state's budget for 2010. He also praised the BN and Independent assemblymen who maintained decorum during the session.

PKR state assemblymen stand and chat among themselves while the state assembly is in session, ignoring speaker R. Ganesan. Pix from BH Online.

PKR assemblymen leaving the Perak state assembly. Pix from BH Online