Azalina: PKR MP's suit against Speaker brings shame to Parliament

PETALING JAYA: A PKR MP's decision to sue the Dewan Rakyat secretary and Speaker brings shame to Parliament, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

"This goes against the freedom of the institution of Parliament as prescribed in the Federal Constitution," the Pengerang MP said.

Petaling Jaya Selatan MP Hee Loy Sian has filed a civil suit against Dewan Rakyat secretary Datuk Roosme Hamzah and Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia for allegedly rejecting 1MDB-related questions in Parliament last week.

Quoting Article 63 (1) of the Federal Constitution stating that Parliamentary proceedings cannot be questioned in court, Azalina said Hee should have a better understanding of the laws provided in the Constitution as he is a lawmaker.

She adds that the Standing Order 99 of the Parliament states that the decision of the Tuan Yang di-Pertua is final and can only be challenged through a substantive motion.

"The Pakatan Rakyat MP action's shows that the Opposition is deliberately using polemics to take the issue to court when there are other methods to solve it, including submitting a motion to the Speaker," she said, adding that the Speaker has already explained his decision in a press conference.

Hee is seeking a declaration that the decision to disallow two questions addressed to the Prime Minister and Home Minister on 1MDB and businessman Jho Low was unconstitutional.