Monday November 26, 2007 (The Star)
By IAN MCINTYRE and C.A. ZULKIFLE
KOTA BARU: Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat led a “yellow wave” in the Kelantan state assembly, with fellow House members from PAS wearing the baju Melayu in that colour.
Assembly Speaker Datuk Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Abdullah, however, wore a brown suit to indicate his impartiality in the 45-seat assembly.
The 22 backbenchers from the Barisan Nasional, who wore the traditional Kelantan baju Melayu in black, appeared unconcerned about the attire of the government benchers.
Outside the hall, however, several Barisan assemblymen were heard remarking that yellow was a royal colour and it was, therefore, not appropriate to make a show of it in the august House.
Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Annuar Musa (BN – Kok Lanas) told reporters that the Barisan backbenchers had known about the PAS plan last week and were not surprised that their assemblymen came in yellow.
Yellow was the colour worn by street protestors in Kuala Lumpur two weekends ago.
They had marched under the banner of Bersih to ask for reforms in the country’s electoral system.
Aside from the apparent show of support for the Bersih coalition by the PAS members, the state assembly continued with the business of the House as usual yesterday.
Speaking on the issue of increased parking fees, state Local Government committee chairman Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan (PAS – Bunut Payong) told Annuar that this had prompted motorists to use the municipal parking lots wisely instead of parking their vehicles for hours.
Takiyuddin said the traffic dispersal system here would be reviewed from time to time, adding that immediate action would be taken if a major congestion occurred and paralysed traffic flow.
State Trade and Industry committee chairman Zulkifli Mamat (PAS – Pulai Chondong) told the House that the privatisation efforts by the State Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) follow the national trend.
“If the people are wary about privatisation – especially since some ventures had failed – then the SEDC would have to be careful,” he said.
State Infrastructure committee chairman Mej Anizam Abdul Rahman (PAS – Kemahang) said the Merbau Pulai treatment plant, managed by Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd, had been efficient in dealing with effluents and in waste treatment using the “lagoon” pool treatment method.
State Finance Planning committee chairman Datuk Husam Musa (PAS – Kijang) said Kelantan initiated the takaful kifalah insurance scheme for senior citizens but many thought it was a Federal-driven project.
He said assemblyman Hanafi Mamat (BN –Pengkalan Pasir) and Mohd Fauzi Muhammad (BN – Tendong) took part in the scheme.