KUALA LUMPUR: Jelutong member of Parliament (MP) RSN Rayer expressed concern over Malaysia-Singapore trade ties following the recent claims by an opposition MP linking several DAP members with former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and communist leader Chin Peng.
Rayer said the allegations made by the MP would affect all the efforts taken by the government to further boost trade with Singapore, especially for the small and medium enterprises (SME) sector.
"I would like to ask, will the statement made by an MP recently, linking Lee Kuan Yew with communists will cause problems to all efforts taken by the government.
"The 'keceluparan' (uncouthness) of this MP may affect the two-way trade between Singapore and Malaysia" he said during committee stage debates on Supply Bill 2024 in Dewan Rakyat today.
Despite not naming the MP involved, it is learnt that Rayer was referring to Kepala Batas MP Dr Siti Mastura Muhammad.
Siti Mastura then stood up, raising Standing Order 36(6), which states that no member of the House shall impute improper motives to any other member.
She demanded Rayer retract his statement.
Siti Mastura: I ask Jelutong (Rayer) to retract the matter. I have given my statement to the police and no decision on the matter as yet.
Rayer then responded; "Honourable speaker (to Deputy Speaker Alice Lau), I did not mention any name.
"So, please sit (to Siti Mastura). Jangan perasan."
Lau: Please sit (to Siti Mastura)
Rayer: I did not mention Kepala Batas. I stood up because I knew the importance of trade between Malaysia and Singapore.
Siti Mastura: What you said just now, is it linked to what is being debated right now?
Lau: Please sit Kepala Batas. Please proceed (with your debate) Jelutong.
Rayer then said; "Read the news, jangan celupar," before he continued with his debate.