KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (Arau-PN) was ordered to retract the phrase “Umno celaka” that he uttered at the Dewan Rakyat today.
An argument on the matter broke out when Shahidan sarcastically asked if a politician with principles would switch sides, indirectly referring to the four Bersatu MPs who had recently pledged support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“(For example) Jelutong (R.S.N. Rayer) has once said ‘Umno celaka’ but he has never apologised until today,” he said.
Rayer (Jelutong-PH) quickly stood up and demanded that Shahidan retract his words, saying that the phrase “Umno celaka” is impolite and rude.
“No! I saw it in the videos! There are a lot of videos! Jelutong said ‘Umno celaka’,” said Shahidan.
However, Deputy Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor said Shahidan did in fact say the phrase in the Dewan Rakyat and asked the PN man to retract his words.
Confused by Ramli’s decision, Shahidan repeatedly stressed that he was merely pointing out that Rayer had used the words.
“If I apologise, then it means that I have said the words. I did not say the words. I would never talk (bad) about Umno, because (one day) Umno will come and be friends with us (PN bloc),” he said.
The deputy speaker maintained his decision, and Shahidan in the end reluctantly apologised and retracted his words.
“I take it back. I am a good person, and that is why I joined PAS. But I ask for all Umno members in the Dewan Rakyat to remember that Jelutong had never apologised for saying the words (‘Umno celaka’ in the videos),” Shahidan said.
The argument concluded when Ramli muted Shahidan’s microphone, sighed, and said: “Allahuakbar… (this is giving me a) heart attack”. – November 9, 2023