Reports by MARTIN CARVALHO, TARRENCE TAN, RAGANANTHINI VETHASALAM, STEPHANIE LEE and LIEW JIA XIAN
There were loud protests, an angry standoff and an MP was ejected as Parliament erupted into an uproar over the motion to address the issue of the Sulu claim on PETRONAS’ assets.
The Sulu claim also became an issue in the Sabah state assembly when the Speaker there rejected a motion to debate the matter as well.
In Kuala Lumpur, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun rejected a motion by Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis (Warisan-Kota Belud) to debate the Sulu claim but she insisted that the matter be discussed. Several Opposition MPs also joined in.
“Speaker, you have rejected my motion on the Sulu claim for the third time,” said Isnaraissah while stressing that the nation’s sovereignty was at stake.
“You don’t care because it is Sabah? Because Sulu laid claim on Sabah and not other states?,” she said.
Azhar said he had rejected the motion, claiming it would be sub judice as there were ongoing proceedings involving the matter abroad. He then turned off her microphone.
Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman (Warisan-Sepanggar) joined in, saying the matter involved national sovereignty.
Sivarasa Rasiah (PH-Sungai Buloh) said the excuse of sub judice was not valid as the cases were taking place abroad. He said former attorney general (AG) Tan Sri Tommy Thomas had written in his book that efforts to counter the proceedings was supposed to be made in early 2020 and that he had started preparations for it.
“We want to know what happened. The AG who took over – your brother (Tan Sri Idrus Harun) – has to explain either (directly) or through the minister why the application to counter the arbitration proceeding in Spain was not done,” he said.
Azhar said he had never interfered in his brother’s matters and there was no conflict of interest.
“I would excuse myself from decision making if there are any issue involving him in this House,” he added before walking out of the sitting.
Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon who took over then ordered Isnaraissah to leave the House and issued her a two-day suspension when she did not heed his warning to stop interjecting as he went on with other business. He later said he would retract the order if Isnaraissah complies with the rules of the House, adding she could submit an appeal.
However, Isnaraissah told The Star her suspension was not retracted.
“I am confirmed suspended for two days ..., checked already,” she said.
At a press conference later, Isnaraissah said she would be resubmitting her motion to Azhar.
“This will the fourth such attempt since March.
“The Deputy Speaker has given some indication that this will be allowed,” she said, adding that the issue touched a raw nerve with leaders from Sabah who still have many questions on the claims made by the alleged heirs of the Sulu sultanate.
“We want an explanation and commitment by the government to fight the case all the way to the finish.”
On July 12, The Financial Times reported that bailiffs in Luxembourg had seized subsidiaries PETRONAS Azerbaijan (Shah Deniz) and PETRONAS South Caucasus on behalf of their clients. However, Malaysia had obtained a stay order on the RM63bil award. The assets have already been sold.
In Kota Kinabalu, the state assembly also rejected a motion to debate the matter. Senallang assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal wanted the issue debated but Speaker Datuk Kadzim Yahya decided against it after a 20-minute suspension following the proposal.
Kadzim said the motion was rejected as, according to the Standing Orders of the state assembly, a motion has to be filed for approval at least 24 hours before the scheduled meeting.
Shafie responded saying he felt the issue had to be debated for the sake of the Sabah’s sovereignty. He also applied for the Speaker to allow the matter to be debated sometime during the four-day session.
To this, Kadzim said it was more suitable if Shafie brought the matter to Parliament as he was also a Semporna MP.
