Speaker throws out Anwar’s request

Opposition Leader's application to hold conference on free and fair elections in Parliament rejected by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia.

PETALING JAYA: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia has rejected Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim’s application to hold an International Conference on Malaysia’s 13th General Election in Parliament.

In a statement today, the conference’s chair convener, Abd Malek Hussin, said that Speaker felt the event was politically motivated.

“Pandikar justified his decision by saying that he has to sustain the integrity, supremacy and sovereignity of Parliament,” said Malik.

As a result of the Speaker’s decision, the organising committee has now decided to hold the conference at the Lake Club in Kuala Lumpur.

Anwar, had on Feb 26, said that he had gotten permission from Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nazri Aziz and Pandikar to hold the conference in Parliament on March 4 and 5.

The conference will be attended by panelists from Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat, in addition to several other foreign guests from around the region.

Malek said that he was baffled as to how Pandikar felt that a discussion on free and fair elections would run contrary to the sanctity of Parliament.

“The event is about upholding the integrity and sovereignity of the August house, not the other way around.

“Besides, politicians from both sides of the divide have been invited for the conference,” he said.

Umno MP Abdul Rahman Dahlan and Cambodia’s opposition leader Sam Rainsy were among the earliest to confirm their attendance.

- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/28/speaker-throws-out-anwars-request/#sthash.frRdYUo4.dpuf