KAPAR MP Dr Halimah Ali today apologised if her statement in the Dewan Rakyat regarding Menu Rahmah was misleading or misunderstood.

The Perikatan Nasional MP’s apology was delivered via a poem before the debate on Supply Bill 2023 began.

“Kalau ada jarum peniti,
Jangan disimpan di dalam peti,
Andai ada ucapan disalah erti,
Saya menyusun 10 jari,

Niat di hati suara rakyat saya juarai,
Semak imbang kerajaan Madani,
Biar integriti,
Bukankah itu peranan hakiki?

“Please refer to the Hansard on pages 134 to 137 on February 14,” she said after the poem.

Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen (Bandar Kuching-PH) had raised the issue under Standing Order 36(12), following a statement made by Halimah on February 14 during the royal address motion of thanks debate, where she warned against the food quality under Menu Rahmah being so low that it could give rise to diseases including cancer, autoimmune conditions, and autism. 

Yii said the statement was untrue, irresponsible, and not based on fact or science, and may result in misunderstanding or stigma against people with autism or disabilities. 

Earlier, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul said he and Halimah had agreed on her apology statement, and the case is considered closed. – Bernama, February 27, 2023.