PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional has objected to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s stance that MPs cannot debate in the Dewan Rakyat the court decision on Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s corruption case, claiming that the Prime Minister had overstepped his authority.
Citing the Standing Orders, Perikatan chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said the acceptance or rejection of such a motion was under the discretion of the Speaker, not the Prime Minister.
“It is clear that the Prime Minister has made a statement that exceeds his authority by pre-empting a decision that should have been made by the Speaker of the House,” said Takiyuddin in a statement.
On Friday, Anwar said the High Court’s move to grant Ahmad Zahid a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for 47 graft charges could not be debated during the special Parliament meeting to table the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review.
Anwar said the government had no objection to any MP asking about the case during regular meetings, as long as Parliament was not turned into a courtroom.
However, Takiyuddin said the issue regarding Ahmad Zahid should be debated in the “highest forum” in the country.
This had become increasingly necessary and urgent, considering its impact not only on the legal and judicial institutions but also on the image of the government and the country, he added.
“So far, all legal issues, including those raised in Parliament by the Prime Minister himself and his party when he was in the Opposition, have been answered and given clear explanations by the relevant ministers, including court cases involving 1MDB issues and the like,” said Takiyuddin.
Yesterday, Perikatan Youth chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari told a press conference that the wing would hold a gathering on Sept 16 to voice their grievances over the outcome of Ahmad Zahid’s case.
The rally will be part of its “Save Malaysia Movement” which was launched yesterday, he said.
Ahmad Fadhli, who is the Pasir Mas MP, also claimed that the judiciary had become tools of the government to exert pressure on political opponents.
Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, who is Machang MP, submitted a motion to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker last Friday, seeking for the Attorney General to explain the move to drop the charges against Ahmad Zahid.
This came about following the High Court’s move on Sept 4 to uphold the prosecution’s application for a DNAA for Ahmad Zahid.
A DNAA means an accused person can face trial for the same charges in the future if the prosecution decides to reinstate them.
