Allowing Sivarraajh to attend Parliament is a victory to Malaysians, says Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has hailed Speaker Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof’s decision to allow Cameron Highlands MP C. Sivarraajh to attend Parliamentary proceedings as a victory for Malaysians.

The Barisan Nasional chairman hopes that the Speaker’s decision on Monday (Dec 10) will set a precedent for similar cases in the future.

“The Speaker’s decision is a victory for the rakyat. We hope this will serve as a guide to all.

“Don’t follow your emotions when making decisions. Refer to details in the legislative system,” he said.

Last Thursday (Dec 6), several Barisan Nasional lawmakers staged a mini-walkout after Mohamad Ariff ordered Sivarraajh out of the House.

This came following the Election Court’s decision to nullify Barisan’s victory in the Cameron Highlands parliamentary seat in GE14 after finding elements of corruption.

Commenting further on the matter, Dr Ahmad Zahid regarded Mohamad Ariff’s initial ruling as a sad moment in Malaysia’s parliamentary system.

“Because we don’t want this to be a precedent towards the Standing Order, then the ruling (by Mohamad Ariff) must be adhered to.

“The appeal (by Sivarraajh) must be made within 14 days. Before the end of that period, any lawmaker has the right to sit in parliamentary proceedings,” Dr Ahmad Zahid said to reporters at Parliament lobby on Monday (Dec 10).

Earlier on Monday, Mohd Ariff ruled that Sivarraajh was allowed to attend parliamentary proceedings until his appeal process against the recent Election Court’s decision to nullify his victory for the Cameron Highlands seat was completed.

According to Mohamad Ariff, Sivarraajh has 14 days from the Court's decision on Nov 30 to file an appeal to the Federal Court.

“As long as there is no notice from the Court, the Election Commission will not declare the seat empty. As such, Cameron Highlands (Sivarraajh) is eligible,” said Mohamad Ariff.