Lim blasts Pandikar, calls him ‘dictator’

The DAP leader loses his cool in Parliament over the Speaker's justification for suspending PAC's 1MDB probe.

KUALA LUMPUR: DAP strongman Lim Kit Siang lost his cool in Parliament today when he and Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia got embroiled in a heated debate concerning investigations into 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

The exchange came to a head when Lim accused Pandikar of being a dictator for justifying the suspension of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) when its chairman, Nur Jazlan Mohamed, vacated his post.

Lim also accused Pandikar of being afraid of what PAC might find out about 1MDB.

Pandikar announced the suspension of PAC’s investigations on July 30.

Pandikar told the Dewan Rakyat today that a member of the committee could chair a meeting in the absence of its chairman or deputy due to ill health or other reasons but a member or deputy chairman could not do so when the chairman’s post had been vacated.

Lim disagreed and demanded to know why Pandikar suspended PAC meetings, a move that had resulted in the 1MDB probe being delayed.

Pandikar defended his decision, taking offence in the manner in which Lim presented his argument, saying it implied the Speaker’s opinion was flawed.

“The way it was raised was as if my opinions are not right,” he said. “I am not saying my decision was right but if the interpretation made by the Speaker is always being argued against, we can’t conduct this meeting.

“If you feel like the Speaker’s decision is not right, then you should table a private bill.”

Pandikar also said nobody cared how long the 1MDB probe was taking because it was ongoing and there was no conclusion yet as to whether there had been any wrongdoing.

“If we are having this 1MDB issue which is still being investigated and we don’t know yet who’s right and who’s wrong, do you think the people care if the investigation is being carried out quickly or not?”

Lim however responded by saying, “Yang diPertua is a dictator. Is the YDP afraid that 1MDB is being investigated?”

Pandikar shot back with a snide remark and accused Lim of making a baseless accusation.

“You are very brave because you are sitting at the chair where you don’t have to take any action,” he said. “That’s why you did not become the Chief Minister.

“This is not a good accusation. To me, I have considered all of the meeting’s rules. Please conclude.”