LKS: Report Azalina for breach of privileges

DAP supremo says minister should face Privileges Committee for trying to usurp Speaker's authority

PETALING JAYA: Azalina Othman, should be reported to the parliamentary Privileges Committee for trying to usurp the Speaker’s authority, says DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang.

He said that Azalina had committed “a serious violation of parliamentary privilege not for one day, but for a whole week” when she cited “sub judice” as grounds for refusing to entertain questions about 1MDB and a RM2.6 billion donation to Najib Razak.

Azalina, who is a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, said parliamentary discusssins were ruled out by the filing of a suit against Najib by former premier Mahathir Mohamad.

However, the Speaker, Pandikar Amin Mulia, has rebuked Azalina who, he said, was usurping his power to decide on what matters may be discussed.

Lim, who is MP for Gelang Patah, has been suspended from the Dewan Rakyat for six months.

In a speech at a constituency party event last night, he said: “Why has she not been referred to the Committee of Privileges for such grave violation of parliamentary privilege and ordered to answer all parliamentary questions which she had rejected on the ground of sub judice arising from the Bar Council’s suit against the Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamad Apandi Ali?”

He accused Umno leaders of giving different accounts about the RM2.6 billion donation deposited into Najib’s personal accounts.

Lim said the sub judice rule was to protect the courts from parliamentary interference and was not a convenient device for ministers to avoid or escape parliamentary scrutiny, or to sweep matters under the carpet.