Perak Mentri Besar also dismisses rumours of ouster.
All 25 Umno state assemblymen staged a walkout after accusing the Perak state assembly speaker Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham of being biased.
It started when Perak Opposition leader Datuk Saarani Ibrahim “congratulated” Ngeh as the richest MP at the end of his debate speech, and asked if he could explain how he had become so rich.
To that, Ngeh replied his assets were due to profits from properties gains.
He added that he would have been richer if not for the “coup” 10 years ago (when Barisan Nasional took over the state government after getting three assemblymen to cross over) and that he would have been able to be more devoted to the people.
Ngeh tops the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) asset declaration list at RM82 million.
To this, several assemblymen, including Saarani and former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir got up, calling the Speaker biased.
Ngeh, who is also the Beruas MP, said he was merely replying to a questioned posted by Saarani.
Zambry told Ngeh he should be sitting with the assemblymen, and get someone else to sit on the Speaker’s chair.
“As a Speaker, you should portray yourself to be fair and not biased,” he added before leading the Umno reps on a walkout.
Later, Saarani told a press conference that Ngeh’s character showed he was not fair, as he had been answering questions during debates as well.
“We are debating here, he (Ngeh) is answering, looks like he wants to be part of the debate, and lastly he ‘tak tahan’ (could not stand) and ‘lepas’ (let go),” he added.
The assemblymen then re-entered the hall.
Meanwhile, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu has dismissed rumours of a plot by some state executive councillor members to oust him.
“We are one big happy family,” Ahmad Faizal said, adding that his relationship with all ten Perak exco members was good.
He said weekly meetings are held, where all exco members have a chance to voice their views and suggestions for the betterment of the state.
Recently, Saarani claimed there was an impending vote of no-confidence against Ahmad Faizal.
He said he was willing to reveal the names of the exco members who approached Umno assemblymen to support their attempts to remove the Mentri Besar.
Earlier, Perak DAP chairman Nga Kor Ming claimed there is a conspiracy to topple Ahmad Faizal’s leadership.
Nga, who is also Teluk Intan MP, said the Pakatan Harapan secretariat would be lodging a police report on the matter soon.
He said his conclusion was made due to recent statements by state executive councillor Asmuni Awi and Saarani.
Asmuni on Monday alleged he was approached by several individuals from Umno offering him the mentri besar position if Amanah joins Umno.
“Even former mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir claimed that there was an attempt to bring the state government down,” he said at a press conference on the sidelines of the state assembly sitting.
Nga said a report with the MACC would also be made.
Echoing what Saarani said, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had declared the party was prepared for the possibility of state elections in Perak. However, he did not elaborate on the matter.