Contempt not provided for under Perak law, says court

PUTRAJAYA: Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and his six state executive councillors cannot be suspended from attending the state legislative assembly for alleged contempt as the offence is not provided for under the Perak State Constitution, the Federal Court ruled.

Federal Court judge Justice S. Augustine Paul, in his written judgment, said Article 44 of the Perak State Constitution, read together with the Standing Orders of the legislative assembly and the Legislative Assembly (Privileges) Enactment 1959 did not provide for the offence of contempt and the resultant punishment of suspension from attending sessions of the state legislative assembly.