Dewan Rakyat Speaker Says He Didn’t See MP Flash The Middle Finger Due To “Eyesight Problems”

By Ameera Rosli  •  02 Dec 2020 in News

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It’s almost as if Malaysians don’t need cable television because all the drama happens in parliament.

In a recent sitting at the Dewan Rakyat on December 1, a deputy minister was accused of flashing the middle finger towards the opposition bench. During a heated speech pertaining to the Budget 2021, Deputy Plantations Industry and Commodities Minister, Willie Mongin, concluded by allegedly showing the opposition his middle finger.

Take a look at the clip:

Puncak Borneo MP/Plantation & Commodities Deputy Minister Willie Mongin is believed to have brandished the middle finger at the oppo bloc in Parliament today amid taunts of “pengkhianat” or traitor. Willie has denied the action saying the opposition might have been mistaken. pic.twitter.com/1STC4tgtbg

— emmanuelsamarathisa (@esshimself) December 1, 2020

RSN Rayer (Pakatan Harapan-Jelutong) made the accusation by saying,

“After he finished delivering his winding-up speech, Puncak Borneo (Willie Mongin) flashed an obscene gesture to this side (opposition lawmakers). The gesture was witnessed by all… about 10 people (MPs) who are seated on this side of the house. He showed his middle finger. This is an insult to the MPs. This is serious. Please ask him to apologise.”

When speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun probed for an explanation, Willie Mongin simply denied the accusations. He said,

“I would like to stress that this accusation is not true. However, if they (the opposition MPs) assume I had committed such an act, I am ready to apologise.”

Despite that, there were several witnesses who substantiated the gesture. Kasthuri Patto (PH-Batu Kawan) and Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad (Barisan Nasional-Parit Sulong) also saw what the MP did. Kasthuri said,

“Parit Sulong… You saw it when you asked him to calm down. Don’t lie. And you shouted it (asked Willie to calm down) twice. What a mockery to this house.”

Take a look:

Deputy Minister and Puncak Borneo MP Willie Mongin reiterated that he did not show such profane gestures and he continued to say that if the opposition deemed that he did, he is willing to apologise. pic.twitter.com/BtKKAxu4ZD

— Norman Goh (@imnormgoh) December 1, 2020

Today (December 2), speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun is unable to make a ruling, claiming that he didn’t see the gesture. His reasoning being that he has “problems with his eyesight.” He said,

“I honestly did not see what happened because I am having some problems with my eyesight. I even asked the deputy minister to explain and he denied showing such gestures. I also saw the videos that went viral many times, even in slow motion, but I am still unable to tell if (the alleged gesture) happened or not. My decision is, I cannot determine if the incident did take place or not.”

He suggested that those who are unhappy with the decision can write a motion to the Rights and Privileges Committee where Willie can defend himself against the accusations.