KUALA LUMPUR: A shouting match erupts in the Dewan Rakyat after a Pakatan Harapan MP coined Kelantan exco’s suggestion to turn the monsoon season in the state into a tourism event as “a dumb idea”.
Jimmy Puah Wee Tse (PH-Tebrau) said the suggestion was insensitive.
“How can we take the sufferings of the flood victims as attractions for tourism?
“The suggestion is insensitive and dumb,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat when debating the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry (NRES) Budget 2025 at the committee stage.
He also called out the Opposition lawmakers for not reprimanding the exco and asked whether Perikatan Nasional would back the suggestion.
Puah was referring to a suggestion by Datuk Kamarudin Md Noor, who is also the state exco for Tourism, Culture, Arts and Heritage, who said that tourism during the flood season would see the promotion of activities such as surfing and food traditionally eaten during the monsoon season.
Datuk Dr Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa) stood up and clarified that the suggestion was to promote “monsoon season” as opposed to “flooding”.
“What was meant by the exco was ‘monsoon’ season not flooding!” said Ahmad Marzuk, adding that the statement was misleading the Dewan Rakyat.
He also urged Puah to retract his statement.
Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN-Masjid Tanah) chided, saying the suggestion was intended to help the rakyat amidst the monsoon season.
“Tebrau has been ill-intentioned and trying to mislead the Dewan Rakyat. I urge him to withdraw his statement,” she said.
A shouting match lasted a few minutes before presiding speaker Suhaizan Kaiat requested Puah to retract his statement.
“I retract the word ‘dumb’ (rather the idea) was ‘not smart’,” said Puah in concession.
Meanwhile, at a press conference at the parliament media centre, Ahmad Marzuk said developed countries such as Japan, the United States and Australia had tourism products during the monsoon season.
The Pengkalan Chepa MP expressed disappointment at Tebrau MP Jimmy Puah Wee Tse for making his remarks in the Dewan Rakyat, intending to embarrass PAS and Perikatan.
"We are upset over the narrative they are trying to make as if we are taking advantage of the flooding victims and season.
"The statement was issued way before there was a flood, so please don't be confused," said Ahmad Marzuk.
On Nov 28, Kamarudin proposed to turn the annual monsoon into a tourism event.
During an interview with Astro Awani, he said the decision would promote activities such as surfing and food traditionally eaten during the monsoon season.
His remarks drew strong criticism from netizens and political remarks, calling it insensitive.
