Licence to kill retracted
The Star (27/5/08): Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad became the target of several Opposition MPs when he let slip that doctors were “licensed to kill.”
The 15-minute attack on him led to Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia warning all MPs not to use unparliamentary words in future.
Speaker to speaker: Penang state assembly speaker Abdul Halim Hussain (second from left) paying a courtesy call on Pandikar Amin (second from right) at the Parliament House. He was accompanied by Guan Eng (centre), Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy (left), Datuk Zahrain Hashim and other MPs from Penang.
“You have set a precedent and the next time if any of you start using an unparliamentary word, I will not hesitate to exercise my power,” he said.
Dr Abdul Latiff had wanted to adopt the famous James Bond movie title “Licence to Kill” when replying to a supplementary question by Alexander Nanta Linggi (BN – Kapit) during Question Time.
He said doctors were given the “licence to heal” as well as the “licence to kill.”
This prompted several Opposition MPs, led by Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli (PAS – Kuala Krai), to stand up and demand that he retract his phrase as it damaged the reputation of the profession.
Pandikar Amin however felt that it was only a small matter and it should not be blown out of proportion, as it was a waste of time to argue about a trivial matter.
Dr Abdul Latiff finally stood up to defend himself and explained that the phrase was only a figure of speech.
“But if the Yang Berhormat feels that he (Dr Mohd Hatta) has the licence to kill, that’s his assumption,” he said, causing a fiery uproar from the Opposition again.
“Retract your words or show us your licence,” demanded N. Gobalakrishnan (PKR – Padang Serai).
“How can he (Dr Abdul Latiff) be appointed as the deputy health minister if he has the licence to kill?” interjected Mahfuz Omar (PAS - Pokok Sena).
Dr Tan Seng Giaw (DAP – Kepong) also stood up and said he hoped Dr Abdul Latiff would not use such words again but the best would be for him to retract the words.
Pandikar Amin followed Tan’s suggestion even with outbursts from Lim Kit Siang (DAP – Ipoh Timur) and his son Guan Eng (DAP – Bagan).
“We are here not as James Bond, only James Bond has the licence to kill,” said Guan Eng.
Opposition Leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR – Permatang Pauh) also demanded a retraction saying that doctors were meant to save lives and not kill anyone.
Pandikar Amin then ordered Dr Abdul Latiff to retract his words but when he refused, Pandikar Amin said: “Please help me so I can do my duty. Just say the two words - tarik balik (retract),” he said.
At this juncture, several MPs stood up for points of order that the Speaker’s decision must not be ignored, to which Pandikar Amin said: ”Don’t tell me how to do my job.
“I know the Standing Orders very well and I’ve memorised it from top to bottom and left to right,” he said.
Dr Abdul Latiff finally retracted his words but said he would not apologise.
The 15-minute attack on him led to Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia warning all MPs not to use unparliamentary words in future.
Speaker to speaker: Penang state assembly speaker Abdul Halim Hussain (second from left) paying a courtesy call on Pandikar Amin (second from right) at the Parliament House. He was accompanied by Guan Eng (centre), Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy (left), Datuk Zahrain Hashim and other MPs from Penang.
“You have set a precedent and the next time if any of you start using an unparliamentary word, I will not hesitate to exercise my power,” he said.
Dr Abdul Latiff had wanted to adopt the famous James Bond movie title “Licence to Kill” when replying to a supplementary question by Alexander Nanta Linggi (BN – Kapit) during Question Time.
He said doctors were given the “licence to heal” as well as the “licence to kill.”
This prompted several Opposition MPs, led by Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli (PAS – Kuala Krai), to stand up and demand that he retract his phrase as it damaged the reputation of the profession.
Pandikar Amin however felt that it was only a small matter and it should not be blown out of proportion, as it was a waste of time to argue about a trivial matter.
Dr Abdul Latiff finally stood up to defend himself and explained that the phrase was only a figure of speech.
“But if the Yang Berhormat feels that he (Dr Mohd Hatta) has the licence to kill, that’s his assumption,” he said, causing a fiery uproar from the Opposition again.
“Retract your words or show us your licence,” demanded N. Gobalakrishnan (PKR – Padang Serai).
“How can he (Dr Abdul Latiff) be appointed as the deputy health minister if he has the licence to kill?” interjected Mahfuz Omar (PAS - Pokok Sena).
Dr Tan Seng Giaw (DAP – Kepong) also stood up and said he hoped Dr Abdul Latiff would not use such words again but the best would be for him to retract the words.
Pandikar Amin followed Tan’s suggestion even with outbursts from Lim Kit Siang (DAP – Ipoh Timur) and his son Guan Eng (DAP – Bagan).
“We are here not as James Bond, only James Bond has the licence to kill,” said Guan Eng.
Opposition Leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR – Permatang Pauh) also demanded a retraction saying that doctors were meant to save lives and not kill anyone.
Pandikar Amin then ordered Dr Abdul Latiff to retract his words but when he refused, Pandikar Amin said: “Please help me so I can do my duty. Just say the two words - tarik balik (retract),” he said.
At this juncture, several MPs stood up for points of order that the Speaker’s decision must not be ignored, to which Pandikar Amin said: ”Don’t tell me how to do my job.
“I know the Standing Orders very well and I’ve memorised it from top to bottom and left to right,” he said.
Dr Abdul Latiff finally retracted his words but said he would not apologise.
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