SHAH ALAM: The Shah Alam High Court has affirmed the legality of the Selangor Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) and its proceedings, according to Selangor Legislative Assembly Speaker Teng Chang Kim.
Judge Zaliha Yusof delivered her judgment yesterday on a case initiated in 2009 by Barisan Nasional assemblymen, Teng told reporters today.
Zaliha gave the judgment in chambers.
“Act 72 of the Federal Constitution states that the validity of any state assembly cannot be challenged by any court of law,” Teng said.
“Selcat as a state committee has similar privileges.”
The decision opens the way for the state to pursue the prosecution of former menteri besar Dr Khir Toyo’s wife, Zahrah Kechik, for her refusal to attend a Selcat hearing.
Teng said the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution implied that the state assembly had powers to punish those who went against Selcat’s decision.
“Hence the 2009 Contempt of Assembly Enactment is also legal.”
He said he was disappointed that the Attorney General that had not taken action against Zahrah despite a police report against her.
“We hope that the Attorney General’s Chambers would take necessary action to uphold the law.”
Zahrah was summoned to a Selcat hearing in early 2009 to testify on a case in which Khir was accused of going on spending sprees overseas on state funds. - FMT
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