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Heated debate over Chong’s proposal

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Henry Jinep (centre) giving the thumbs-up to the media on arrival at the State Legislative Assembly building.

STATE  opposition leader Chong Chieng Jen (PH-Kota Sentosa) proposed an alternative to reduce carbon emissions yesterday, but his questioning of the state government’s introduction of hydrogen buses instead of buses running on diesel caused uproar in the assembly.

Chong, who was debating the tabling of the Natural Resources and Environment (2020) Bill, 2019, supported the Bill but pointed out that other alternatives could be undertaken to reduce carbon emissions further.

“Clean air is a human right, which all people have the right to enjoy, be they Pakatan Harapan or BN (GPS). We all breathe the same air,” he said.

“While we want cleaner air, there is a cost involved in it. The cost incurred when researching the hydrogen energy production can be channeled to new industries to reduce carbon emissions.”

The state opposition leader was cautioned for “digressing too far from the subject” by the Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, who kept close watch on the debate.

Utilities Assistant Minister (Water Supply) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi (GPS-Pantai Damai) interrupted Chong at one point to point out that the state was making strides to reduce carbon emissions by replacing diesel-powered buses with hydrogen-powered ones.

Henry Jinep (centre) giving the thumbs-up to the media on arrival at the State Legislative Assembly building.

“You are missing my argument; I am talking about the reduction of pollution of carbon unit which is the measurement of polluted air off the bus,” said Chong.

“The cost of the switch is too huge. That fund could be used to reduce certain industries that produce more carbon units.”

Then Chong cynically noted that two assistant ministers were against his suggestion but not Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom who nodded in agreement.

“The minister should be promoted to a higher position in the administration. That is why he is a minister while both of you are assistant ministers,” he said.

Datuk Henry Harry Jinep (GPS-Tasik Biru) proceeded to tick off the Kota Sentosa member and pointed out that while the state Pakatan Harapan chairman is the opposition leader in the state, he is only rewarded with a federal deputy minister’s post.

Ripin Lamat (GPS-Lambir) who also debated on the Bill was annoyed with the opposition but veered off topic to lambast the opposition leader for the failed promises of Pakatan Harapan to a huge uproar.

Asfia again interrupted the exchange of words and asked both members not to digress from debating the Bill.

“This Bill on the Natural Resources and Environment, you (Chong) spoke about air pollution while you (Ripin) on the other hand linked it to the pollution of the mind,” said Asfia.

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