07/08/2008 (Daily Express Sabah), Kota Kinabalu - The sole opposition Assemblyman got a ticking off by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman, Tuesday, who questioned whether the former is in the House to champion the interests of the people or some rich Towkays.

Jimmy Wong Sze Phin (DAP-Sri Tanjong) had earlier contended that the sales tax imposed on Crude Palm Oil (CPO) was causing hardship to smallholders in the State.

Wong, who was in the middle of his maiden speech to debate the motion of thanks to the Head of State Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah, had to give way to Musa who stood up to explain that the sales tax on CPO had nothing to do with smallholders but only major oil palm players.

"Does the Sri Tanjong Assemblyman know that the sales tax of 7.5 per cent is only charged if the CPO price exceeds RM1,000 per metric tonne?" Musa asked.

"I thought you opposition are champions for the people. But now it seems that you are champions of the towkays," he said.

Musa said the opposition should by right be grateful and appreciate the Government's move to tax these major oil palm companies since most of them are not from Sabah, and this was one way of getting something back for the State.

He said the State Government was not charging the sales tax on small holders because they are only producing Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) and not CPO.

"Sometimes you talk rubbish," Musa told Jimmy, which was met with thumping of tables from other elected representatives in the House.

Wong, who is an activist-turned politician, then tried to explain that what he wanted was for the State Government to look into the case of smallholders being victimised by the big oil palm towkays in order to allay the effect of the sales tax on CPO.

However, Musa said the State Government had taken action on it through the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry to ensure that the smallholders are not bullied.

At this juncture, Wong, whose nickname is Tiger, said, "I understand, I hope you (Musa) will not be angry as I am still learning and I hope the Government will look into the matter".

"I am not angry. I only want to explain (furthermore) you already got the answer during the question and answer session," Musa retorted.

When Wong continued his speech asking the State Government to set aside 30 per cent of the revenue from the CPO sales tax as Reserve Fund for emergency use, he got another piece of advice from Musa.

Musa told him that the State Government knew what to do and that he should be concentrating on doing job as Assemblyman instead of trying to teach the Government what to do.

"Your right honourable please don't get mad at me. We can discuss about it later," Wong said in his conclusion to support the motion of thanks.