Police should have notified me of Rafizi's arrest, says speaker

PARLIAMENT| Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia acknowledged that police have the power to arrest PKR lawmaker Rafizi Ramli under the Official Secrets Act without a warrant outside the parliament gates

However, he said the police should have notified him so that he can inform the House.

"Besides that, while the arrest took place outside, it was close to the parliament compound.

"This is in line with the responsibility of the police to ensure the security and harmony of the parliament sitting as enshrined in Article 1(e) of the Parliament's Standing Order.

"While a member is protected from arrest for civil contempt of court, there is no protection from arrest for criminal contempt of court," he said.

Pandikar made the ruling today as to whether inspector-general of police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar breached a Parliament' Standing Order with the arrest.

PKR Sungai Petani MP Johari Abdul had tabled a motion to urge the speaker to rule if the IGP committed contempt against Parliament.

[More to follow]

-Mkini