Shouting match in Penang legislative assembly over Maria Chin's detention

GEORGE TOWN: Pinang Tunggal assemblyman Datuk Roslan Saidin was ordered out of the House today following a shouting match when debating a motion without notice on the detention of Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah.
The verbal warfare started after he told State Health, Agriculture and Agro-based Industries, Rural and Regional Development Committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin (pix) not to forget his roots after the Seberang Jaya assemblyman criticised Umno.
Afif then told him not to involve his family in this matter and a shouting match ensued between them.
The pandemonium got worse when R.S.N. Rayer (DAP – Seri Delima) and Soon Lip Chee (DAP – Jawi) jumped into the fray and shouted at Roslan to sit down.
Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang tried to restore order by ordering those who were standing to sit down, but the shouting continued for a few minutes until he ordered the House Steward to escort Roslan out.
The motion was proposed by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and seconded by Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Rashid Hasnon.
The motion sought to have the Penang Legislature condemn the use of the Security Offenses (Special Measures) Act 2012 or Sosma to detain Maria as she was not involved in terrorism activities.

Those taking part in the debate included Roslan, Rayer, Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy, State Women, Family and Community Development, Youth and Sports Committee chairman Chong Eng, State Local Government, Flood Mitigation and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow and Lee Khai Loon (PKR – Machang Bubuk).
With the exception of Roslan, those who took part in the debate moved to support the motion which was later passed sans state opposition members who followed their colleague out.
Outside, State Legislature Opposition Leader Datuk Jahara Hamid said the Barisan Nasional (BN) wanted no part in the motion and chose to leave with Roslan.
She also questioned why only Roslan was ordered to leave while Penang government backbenchers were not.