Citing sub judice, Azalina says won’t allow ongoing court matters in the House

KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said will not allow lawmakers to raise ongoing court matters in Parliament.

"I was not presiding over the matter during that particular moment.

"If I was, I would not have allowed an ongoing court matter to be raised in the House owing to sub judice," she said when asked by RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) to make a ruling over the matter in Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Oct 4).

She said that her decision was based on Standing Order 36(2) which empowers the Speaker to prohibit MPs from raising court matters during debates if it prejudices the interest of those in the legal proceeding.

She acknowledged that the rule was subject to the interpretation of a presiding speaker.

Rayer wanted Azalina to make a ruling regarding statements made by Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (BN-Pontian) during his debates on the 12th Malaysia Plan in Dewan Rakyat last week.

Ahmad spoke of the charges he faced involving money laundering and giving a false statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

He clarified the case, saying he was no longer part of the "court cluster" following his acquittal and was made to pay a RM1.1mil fine.

On Thursday (Sept 30), the High Court acquitted Ahmad of his two criminal charges.

On Rayer's request for Ahmad to retract and apologise for his statements, Azalina suggested he file his request officially by way of a motion.

She also advised Ahmad that he need not respond verbally to Rayer in the House at the moment, but may do so if the latter's motion against him is accepted.