SPEAKER Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia should file a defamation suit against those who recently challenged him to resign, said Beruas MP Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham.
He claimed Pandikar Amin did not have the power to take action in Parliament against the DAP lawmakers because the call for his resignation was made outside the House.
Ngeh, V. Sivakumar (DAP-Batu Gajah) and Nga Kor Ming (DAP-Taiping) were issued an official letter directing them to apologise for disparaging the Speaker and Parliament.
“I’ve been advised by my lawyers that his (Pandikar Amin’s) recourse is to file a defamation suit,” Ngeh told a press conference at the Parliament lobby.
The trio had accused Pandikar Amin of colluding with Barisan Nasional to cover up corruption scandals by disallowing applications for an emergency motion to debate the seizure of a yacht in Indonesia and questions related to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
They also refused to apologise until Pandikar Amin answered their two questions related to 1MDB.
Ngeh, during a press conference at the Parliament lobby, also called on Pandikar Amin to retract his demand for an apology from the trio.
Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang, who was also present at the press conference, supported Ngeh’s call for Pandikar Amin to withdraw the letter.
“The Speaker has abused his power and I call on the Speaker to refrain from taking further action and to withdraw the letter,” said Lim.