MPs ask for debate on Sulu claims, to get briefing at hotel instead

 

The government will hold a closed-door briefing session at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur tonight for parliamentarians on claims over Petronas assets by the purported heirs of the Sulu sultanate.

While Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun had yesterday rejected calls for the Lower House to debate the matter, tonight’s briefing by three ministers will be held at the Seri Pacific Hotel.

Speaking to reporters in Parliament, Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching said she received an invitation to attend the briefing by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Mustapa Mohamed.

“After the briefing, there will be a question and answer session, closed door,” said Teo, who questioned the need to rent an external space at an added cost.

“If the government can rent the ballroom of a five-star hotel, why can’t this issue be debated in the Dewan? Did they not say there’s a need to cut costs due to rising costs of living?

“Would it not be better to listen to the ministers’ briefing in parliament?” she asked.

Teo stressed that the issue is of national interest, and time should be allocated for debate in Parliament, either in the Dewan Rakyat or special chambers.

Meanwhile, Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin said he welcomed the government’s willingness to hold the engagement session, despite it being a closed-door briefing.

“If possible, we hope it can be continued with another formal session where the matter can be debated and recorded in the Parliament’s hansard.

“This closed-door session does not satisfy the people who have a right to know,” he said.

Chan also said he echoed calls made by various MPs, including former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, that the claims should be debated in Parliament.

In expanding his sub judice ruling, Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun yesterday said debating the matter could reveal the government’s legal strategies to the enemy.

The purported heirs of the last Sulu sultan, Sultan Jamalul Kiram II, are using international legal processes in a bid to claim US$14.92 billion (RM66.38 billion) in overdue lease payments for Sabah.

The arbitration process was initiated in response to Malaysia cutting off the annual lease payments of RM5,300 to the Sulu sultanate in 2013.

Following this, the Sulu side, via their lawyers, managed to seize two Luxembourg-incorporated subsidiaries of Petronas worth US$2 billion (RM8.9 billion).

Malaysia is challenging the Sulu claim in courts in Spain and France - which Azhar argues makes any debate on the matter run afoul of Parliament standing orders on sub judice. - Mkini