KOTA KINABALU, May 24 — Arguments broke out in the Sabah assembly sitting today after several Opposition members complained they were not allowed to ask questions during the winding-up speech of Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew.

Elected representatives like Merotai assemblyman Sarifuddin Hatta, Elopura assemblyman Calvin Chong and Tungku assemblyman Assafal Alian attempted to ask their questions as Liew ended her speech and sat down.

The situation escalated when Deputy Speaker Datuk Ahmad Abdul Rahman prevented them from asking, saying it was Liew’s prerogative to take their questions, leading to Sarifuddin alleging they were being prevented from carrying out their responsibilities as elected representatives.

"You have to give us the chance to at least ask. What is the point of being here when we cannot ask? We can just do it online. Why else are we here? We cannot be seen to be just listening and not asking questions for the people,” said the visibly frustrated Sarifuddin.

"If you don’t want to answer questions, then don’t be a minister,” he said.

Ahmad also raised his voice to accuse Sariffudin of "threatening,” and asked him to retract his statement.

"Take it back. You cannot say that. Cannot issue threats. Did anyone threaten you before? Be fair,” he said.

Sariffudin said the sitting was too restrictive on the Opposition lawmakers, who were given 10-15 minutes to speak, and then not allowed to ask questions.

Assafal said it was only appropriate they be given a chance to also ask their questions.

"If she (Liew) cannot answer, she can give us a written reply, but we have to be able to ask,” said Assafal, who explained that his question was regarding the crocodile attacks in his constituency.

He then said that the Speaker must be fair to all in the assembly.

Earlier during her winding-up speech, Liew had asked several Opposition lawmakers who were trying to ask questions if they could wait "maybe 10 minutes” to the end of her speech before doing so.

After ending her speech, however, Liew sat down, causing Chong and other assemblymen, who were standing up, to appear stunned.

An exchange of words then went on for several minutes, until Ahmad muted the lawmakers’ microphones.

The sitting, which was otherwise a cordial affair, ended after state Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal said the Speaker’s role was not just to run proceedings, but to facilitate fair and conducive debate between the members and the ministers.

"We had tried to ask questions. Yes, it is her right to take or decline questions. We can concede. But she promised to answer us later. You can answer us later, but you should at least keep your promises,” he said.

Chong later lauded state Industrial Development Minister Ginger Phoong for taking questions after making his speech "unlike the minister before you who is afraid to take questions. Very good minister, thank you,” he said.

* A previous version of the report misidentified the Deputy Speaker. The error has since been corrected.