Ex-MP defends Tsen's 'eye rest' in Parliament
Published on: Saturday, October 25, 2014
KOTA KINABALU: A former MP on Friday came to the defence of Batu Sapi MP Datuk Linda Tsen who appeared to be asleep during a Parliament session in a clip uploaded on YouTube.Hiew King Cheu, who was formerly Kota Kinabalu MP and now the assemblyman for Luyang, said she was reading her notes and just resting her eyes, and not sleeping."There is a difference between sleeping and resting one's eyes which I personally have done when he was in Parliament.ADVERTISEMENT "I sometimes closed my eyes but my ears were open and I was listening. That does not mean that I was sleeping. Why make a big fuss about someone taking an 'eye rest' during the sitting? "One thing for sure is that the person who posted the video has one single motive, and that is to discredit Linda. The irresponsible person wanted to shame the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Barisan Nasional (BN). "How would you feel if someone now posts a picture or video of Pakatan Rakyat leaders and MPs having an "eye rest" in Parliament?" he said in a statement.In fact, he said many opposition MPs (especially the older ones) also have the habit and very often do likewise in Parliament. ADVERTISEMENT "There are even videos and photographs to prove it. Therefore, consider carefully before you shame or discredit someone else and do not simply point fingers. "We must respect each other and behave like the great leaders in the world. There is no need to condemn others for self-benefit.
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"Furthermore, let's not abuse the social media like the YouTube or Facebook as tools used for personal attack. This would be very unethical and impolite," Hiew said. Tsen had earlier questioned the authenticity of a picture in YouTube showing her sleeping in Parliament sitting recently while a Federal Minister was delivering his speech.In a statement, she clarified that she was actually reading the notes on her table."I was reading my notes on the table, and not sleeping as it would seem to indicate on the picture circulated through the social media. I believe the picture on the video was purposely created and spread on the social media by irresponsible parties.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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"It is a composite photo which I believe may have been created using photoshop software and circulated on the social media along with several defamatory remarks made by the opposition," she said.Apart from lodging a police report, she is also considering legal action against the parties concerned for creating the picture.