Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman Said defended the action of the police in arresting lawmaker Rafizi Ramli outside the gate of Parliament.
She voiced her strong support despite Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia saying he needed more time to rule if inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar has breched a parliamentary Standing Order.
"I want to explain that the detention of the Pandan parliamentarian was in line with the Criminal Procedure Code," she said in a statement today.
"Also, Section 7 of Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952 does not give immunity to any parliamentarian to commit a crime," she added.
The above section stipulates that lawmakers shall not be liable to any civil or criminal proceeding, arrest, imprisonment or damages by reason of any matter brought before the House or any committee.
Rafizi was arrested yesterday under Official Secret Act.
"However, I am confident that the Royal Malaysian Police can justified the arrest, which took place at the location (outside Parliament gate)," she said.
Earlier today, Pandikar acknowledged the police need to serve the House a notice if they plan to take action in the Parliament compound.
He, however, was not sure if the place where the arrest took place falls under the Parliament precint. -Mkini
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