Politicians Say The Darnest Things

Compiled By Amir Muhammad, Off The Edge

"Malaysia is rich in geology. We have to protect the geology that is our national treasure".

N Gobalakrishnan. When a backbencher asked if he meant to say 'natural resources' instead of 'geology', he replied "Geology is everything. I got it from Wikipedia." (Parliament Hansard, 25 June 2008).

"I have just returned from Sarawak. And because of corruption....there is still no road to my kampung."

N Gobalakrishnan. Others found this puzzling because he is from Perak and his constituency is in Kedah. Exasperated at the incessant heckling that he was receiving elsewhere in his speech, he challenged Islamil Mohd Said (BN - Kuala Krau) to 'stand up if you are jantan.' When the latter stood up, Gobalakrishnan dismissed him with, 'Ah no, he's a betina.' (Malay Mail, 17 December 2007).

"Football is only one kind of sport. And in this sport we have sometimes succeeded and sometimes failed."

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Yee Jeck Seng, while saying that the alarm over the low standards of Malaysian sports, especially football, is exaggerated. Two backbenchers then helped to clarify whether Malaysia was ranked 160th or 170th in the world. His reply did not please anyone from either the Opposition or the government. He ended his speech by saying, "I have only been Deputy Minister for seven months." (Malay Mail, 24 October 2008).

"Mana bocor? Batu Gajah pun bocor setiap bulan"

Former MP Mohd Said (BN - Jasin) and MP Bung Mokhtar (BN - Kinabatangan) during a heated debate with MP Fong Po Kuan (DAP - Batu Gajah) at Parliament.