Lim Kit Siang: DPM’s explanation on RM2.6b a “cop out”

Nurul-Jacel issue was discussed today to cover-up the donation scandal, alleges the DAP elder statesman.

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi’s brief explanation about Prime Minister Najib Razak’s RM2.6 billion “donation” is the greatest cop-out in the nation’s Parliamentary history.

So said DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang today.

“What happened in parliament this morning will go down in the annals of history as another disgraceful episode in the August House.

“This is why parliamentary reform is urgently needed. It cannot come from sweet words from the Speaker’s chair, but only from restoration of the doctrine of powers among the Executive, Legislation and the Judiciary,” the Gelang Patah MP said in a statement.

He accused the Parliament of blowing up the Nurul Izzah-Jacel Kiram photograph issue today, to cover up and divert attention from the donation scandal.

This is why the Dewan Rakyat adjourned unusually early at 4.30pm on Wednesday, he alleged.

“If the government motion to refer Nurul to the Rights and Privileges Committee had been passed yesterday, it would have left ample time to debate the donation scandal today.”

Lim also lambasted Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman Said for “building up” anticipation on the matter, which implied that Najib himself would be answering questions on the fiasco today.

If the government had been sincere in answering the originating source of the billions, a pertinent question on it put by Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar would not have been put last in the question list, Lim pointed out.

“If this is the uncooperative attitude of the government on the donation issue, why then didn’t Azalina and all ministers say so right away, instead of leading the country and the world to believe that all questions will be answered today?

“This is the height of irresponsibility and Azalina should refer herself to the Rights and Privileges Committee for gross breach of Parliamentary privilege, in her capacity as the minister in charge of Parliamentary affairs,” said Lim.