A PRESS conference in Parliament was almost derailed when the media representatives got into a quarrel with Tourism, Art and Culture Minister Mohammadin Ketapi over his calling them “rubbish”.

“Before we proceed, we would like to ask the tourism minister why he called the media ‘rubbish’ when we were just doing our duty?” a reporter asked Mohammadin in the Parliament lobby.

The Lahad Datu MP replied: “When did I say rubbish and idiot?“

The same reporter replied that many had overheard him say it.

To which Mohammadin replied: “I didn’t say that. You better listen properly. I didn’t say that”.

Another reporter asked what he had said then.

Mohammadin replied: “You prove to me that I said that. Can you?”

International Trade Minister Darrell Leiking stepped in at this point to ask if there were other questions.

The press conference was called by Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal after the Court of Appeal in Kota Kinabalu dismissed Musa Aman’s appeal to challenge Shafie for the chief ministerial post.

Mohammadin made his “rubbish” remark today while he was returning to the Dewan Rakyat after after the lunch break.

He became upset when the six photographers there began snapping his photo.

According to photographer Mogan Raj, who was there, the minister had started scolding them.

“Mohammadin said, ‘Why are you taking my picture? You’d better get lost’,” said Mogan.

When asked if the minister was serious, Morgan replied: “I was scared when he suddenly scolded us.

“I said we were just taking photos for our stockpile. But he didn’t want to hear anymore and left.”

Mogan said Mohammadin called another photographer named Abu “rubbish”. – November 28, 2019.