Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stayed cool as his tormentors dragged up an alleged case of assault which has dogged him over the last seven years. But he eventually blew his top as he got into a heated exchange with the opposition, in particular Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo, in Parliament today.
At the height of the exchange, Ahmad Zahid shouted at Gobind: “Between him and me, he is a greater kaki pukul than me.”
It drew gasps of disbelief from the opposition ranks and Gobind immediately challenged Ahmad Zahid to repeat the statement outside the House.
“You repeat that and I will sue you,” Gobind shouted back.
Ahmad Zahid’s outburst was triggered by a reference to an assault case back in January 2006.
Then a deputy minister, he was alleged to have assaulted Amir Bazli Abdullah. It eventually led to Amir Bazli filing a civil suit in July 4, 2007.
The case is currently in the High Court waiting to be heard.
Ahmad Zahid was grilled repeatedly on a few issues by the opposition but it was Gobind’s line on the assault that got him.
Gobind asked him why no police investigation was opened against a prominent politician when a police report alleging assault was made against him.
“I am referring to you, minister,” Gobind told Ahmad Zahid who was in Parliament to reply to points raised during the royal address in relation to his ministry.
The home minister sat quietly and allowed Barisan Nasional backbenchers to defend him.
Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia cautioned Gobind to ask the question properly.
This caused Gobind to tell the chair that Ahmad Zahid should not answer, as he was the subject matter of the report.
“The deputy home minister is in the house, he should answer,” said Gobind referring to Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
That was when Ahmad Zahid lost his cool and told Gobind he should not be talking about the mater.
“Puchong (Gobind) has vested interest, he is the defence lawyer,” he said.
Gobind then shouted to Ahmad Zahid to answer the question.
“Tell me, did you not threaten the person?" he said to cheers from the opposition.
Ahmad Zahid then told the House that Gobind was referring to an allegation and a police report made in 2006, when he was a deputy minister.
“Because you are the lawyer, you are using this august House to make these allegations, this is not a criminal case, it is a civil case,” Ahmad Zahid shouted back, waving his finger angrily.
Pandikar Amin restored order when he ordered Ahmad Zahid to answer questions on other topics. – July 9, 2013.
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