GEORGE TOWN, May 13 ― The state assembly was in uproar today as rival lawmakers and officials exchanged allegations over the Taman Manggis issue.

State executive councillor for housing development Jagdeep Singh Deo (DAP ― Datuk Keramat) accused Opposition Leader Datuk Jahara Hamid (BN ― Teluk Ayer Tawar) of inciting the public against the DAP-led state government back in March.

“You have read out a memorandum dated in 2003 that said the then state government had planned to built PPRT in Taman Manggis and accused the current administration of refusing to build public housing for the poor,” he said.

He went on to say the press conference by Barisan Nasional prompted an impromptu protest outside Taman Manggis.

Jahara then stood up to deny the allegation.

“I did not incite the public to have a flash mob, I only revealed the memo, show proof that I that incited the public or was involved in the flash mob,” she said.

Jagdeep was replying to an oral question by RSN Rayer (DAP ― Seri Delima) on whether the previous state government had intended to build affordable housing schemes (PPRT) on the Taman Manggis land.

He admitted the previous BN state government had planned to build PPRT in Taman Manggis back in 2003, but said the state executive council in 2005 decided to change it to a mixed development project.

“The previous state government rejected the federal land commissioner's application to build PPRT on that land in 2007,” he said.

Later, Rayer also stood up and played a TV3 news recording on his phone showing Jahara in a press conference.

He accused Jahara of slandering the state government to turn the people against the Pakatan Harapan administration.

“This is the proof of Jahara inciting the public by accusing the current state government of refusing to build PPR for the poor,” he said, adding that it was obvious there were malicious intent on Jahara's part.

Jagdeep also asked Jahara to explain why she only highlighted the 2003 memo but did not reveal the 2005 exco minutes, which he said showed the previous state government had decided to replace the PPRT with a mixed development project.

Jahara replied by demanding Jagdeep show the working papers for the proposed mixed development back in 2005.

“How can I know? I wasn't in the state government then, you should ask Teng Chang Yeow and Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon,” Jagdeep retorted.