Allow debate on Baling floods, Petronas, Ramkarpal tells Dewan Rakyat speaker
SHAH ALAM - Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh has submitted two motions to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Harun on Baling floods and two Luxembourg-registered subsidiaries of Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) seized by “heirs” of the late Sultan of Sulu over a US$15 billion (RM66.55 billion) legal dispute with the Malaysian government arising from an agreement signed 144 years ago
He said the motions were submitted under Standing Order 18(1) of the Standing Orders of the Dewan Rakyat for its next sitting debate.
“It is hoped that the motions will be allowed as I am of the view that they relate to a definite matter of urgent public importance,” he said in a statement.
On Baling floods, he said the real cause of the tragedy needs to be known.
“Is the 21-hectare forest plantation near Kupang and the Musang King durian farm in the area the cause of floods," he said, further asking for government initiatives in dealing with and preventing such incidents in future.
On July 4, a three-hour downpour caused the waters of Sungai Kupang in Baling to overflow into residential areas. At least three people have died, including a pregnant woman, with thousands of others displaced in what is said to be the worst floods to hit the district.
As for a motion on Petronas subsidiaries, Ramkarpal asked the government over the "heirs" of the Sultan of Sulu.
“What are the steps to be taken by the government in denying the order and how will the government safeguard the country's assets from continuously being seized by the heirs of the Sulu Sultan following the Order?,” he added.
