Sabah’s state assembly sitting turned rowdy for a bit after Kunak assemblywoman Norazlinah Arif dredged up an incident where she claimed she was punched in the shoulder by a fellow lawmaker – then promptly launched into a tirade mocking another assemblyman’s command of English.
Norazlinah, who now backs the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, opened her speech with an emotional retelling of the alleged assault during the 2024 legislative sitting, saying she had filed a police report but no action was taken.
“Some said it didn’t hurt. Others said it was playful. But I’m the one who felt it,” she told the House. “As a woman, wife and mother, I do not allow any man to touch me – even as a friend.”
Her remarks, while carefully avoiding names, immediately stirred heckling from the floor.
Tungku assemblyman Assafal Alian (Warisan) stood on a point of order, accusing her of making sangkaan jahat (malicious insinuations).
Then, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (Lamag) accused her of playing for sympathy.
“If you have evidence, go to the police. Don’t turn this chamber into a place for drama,” he said.
While, nominated assemblyman Suhaimi Nasir pressed her further, demanding she produce a medical report on the spot.
Both men are from Umno.
Norazlinah responded. “I never withdrew my report.”
The punching incident believed to have happened on November 20, 2024.
Eventually, Merotai assemblyman Sariffudin Hatta followed, invoking Standing Order 43(1) to challenge the relevance of her remarks to the policy speech being debated.
Facing jeers, Norazlinah shot back, “Kasih layan, kasih layan. Sama perempuan berani.” (Go ahead, entertain it. Try it with a woman who dares.)
Then came the moment that shifted the tone entirely.
Merotai, widely believed to have been involved in the incident, blurted out: “Saya seorang saja yang tumbuk.” (I’m the only one who punched.)
He added that the police had contacted him, but said Norazlinah had chosen not to follow through.
She didn’t deny it.
More heckling followed, with Merotai once again daring her to show the medical report. “I don’t want to be a hero,” she replied. “I just want to raise this openly.”
Speaker Datuk Kadzim M. Yahya then ruled – but instead of shutting it down, he allowed Norazlinah to proceed, pointing to a paragraph in the Head of State’s speech on Pemerkasaan Wanita (Women’s Empowerment) as justification.
That was the green light she needed.
Kadzim had also instructed her to submit a formal complaint under Standing Order 90(4) if she wanted the matter considered.
But once the heckling ended. The mood quickly shifted from personal grievance to political attack, triggering a fresh verbal stand-off.
Norazlinah then turned her crosshairs to Tanjung Aru assemblyman Datuk Junz Wong (Warisan), accusing him of insulting the government during his earlier debate using words like “crazy,” “silly,” “clueless,” and “irresponsible.”
“Just because you speak English doesn’t mean you’re superior. “Your English isn’t even that good,” she said.
It was a jarring contrast – a moment ago invoking her right not to be touched, and the next, mocking another assemblyman for speaking the language he’s most fluent in.
Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai backed her, citing Standing Order 43(4), which bars rude or offensive language in the House.
He said Wong’s remarks clearly crossed the line.
Norazlinah who won the Kunak seat on a Warisan ticket abandoned her party to be supportive of the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah parties.
Earlier, she complimented the development brought to her constituency after switching her political allegiance, while noted that the present government was much better than the previous regime under Warisan. – April 15, 2025
