MP claims PAC chief 'misread' Speaker's powers to open PSC on Azam Baki

 

A government MP has hit out at Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson Wong Kah Woh for the latter's alleged incorrect reading of Parliament Standing Order 90(2) on powers of Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun.

Puncak Borneo MP Willie Mongin cited Wong's statement that earlier urged Azhar to exercise his powers under the Standing Order and publicise a Parliament Select Committee (PSC) proceedings to discuss MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki's shareholding ownership scandal.

"I read with sheer amazement how an MP from the Opposition is able to misread a Standing Order, or pretend to misread the Standing Order in order to mislead the public.

"Let us read for ourselves Standing Order 90(2): A question, the object or effect of which may be to suspend any Standing Orders of the House, shall be proposed only either after notice is given, or with the consent of Tuan Yang di-Pertua who shall immediately without debate put the question," said Willie.

Azhar had previously cited the Standing Order as a reason to keep the proceedings behind closed doors but Wong said the Speaker could invoke the same provision to suspend related provisions and publicise the proceedings.

Willie, however, insisted that Azhar has not been granted any such powers.

"Standing Order 90(2) clearly does not give the Speaker any discretion to suspend the Standing Orders relating to the PSC nor does it give the Speaker the right to initiate the suspension of such Standing Orders.

"A Member of the House must initiate the question and only then may the Speaker put it to the House for a vote," said Willie.

"In short, 90(2) merely allows any MP to propose a rule be suspended, and certainly not for the Speaker to make such a proposal.

"That is the extend of Standing Order 90(2). No more, no less," stressed Willie in calling on Wong to apologise to Azhar for the false interpretation.

The PSC on Agencies under the Prime Minister's Department initially scheduled to convene on Wednesday has since been postponed following objections raised by Azam. - Mkini