HAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAH
NMP chided for bad language in House
By Laurel Teo
A FOUR-letter expletive and another impolite word blurted out in Parliament earned new Nominated MP Ong Soh Khim a stiff admonition yesterday for 'dishonourable conduct'.
The mechanical engineering academic was apparently heard uttering the word 'shit' once and 'rubbish' several times at the close of a debate on the Education Ministry's budget on Tuesday.
Her conduct was brought to the House's notice yesterday by Speaker Abdullah Tarmugi, midway through the seven-hour parliamentary session.
Before debate on the Manpower Ministry's budget resumed after a tea break, a grave-looking Mr Abdullah rose to announce 'a matter concerning the conduct of an honourable member of the House'.
He said he had received several complaints from MPs that Dr Ong had, towards the end of Tuesday's sitting, 'uttered certain unparliamentary words'.
The 35-year-old had also interrupted Deputy Speaker Chew Heng Ching who was chairing the sitting then.
'Having considered the words unparliamentary, it amounts to dishonourable conduct. She has also breached the Standing Orders for interrupting the chair,' said Mr Abdullah sternly.
Adding that she had 'agreed unreservedly to withdraw her remarks', he then called upon the NMP to make a statement.
Looking discomfited, Dr Ong read out her apology tersely, from a prepared sheet.
'I'm new and I have not been long in this House. I wish to apologise to the House, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker for use of any language not suitable for this House last evening,' she said.
She left shortly after, skipping her slot to ask two questions she had earlier filed on manpower issues.
Contacted at home last night, Dr Ong refused to comment. But The Straits Times understands that MPs who were present on Tuesday overheard her uttering the offending words. She was apparently unhappy that the debate on the Education Ministry's budget had drawn to a close too abruptly.
Dr Ong had earlier put up a spirited argument against university fee hikes.
The last time an MP had to apologise in the House for unparliamentary language was in 1995.
Then-opposition MP Ling How Doong had directed the words 'talk cock', 'bastard' and 'asshole' at fellow opposition MP Chiam See Tong when Parliament was debating a censure motion on the Singapore Democratic Party and its chief, Dr Chee Soon Juan.
Wish this sort of thing happen more often. At least it shows humans are in Parliament, not backside cleaning robots.
posted by MuN @ 9:58 am
0 Comments
