PARLIAMENT | Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) said he received a call from controversial businessperson Deepak Jaikishan in which the latter claimed to have reached an agreement with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) for the former to correct his remarks over the issue of imported eggs from India.
Deepak was a carpet trader and vocal critic of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak and wife Rosmah Mansor. Bersatu leader Azmin Ali also recently alleged Deepak was the only one awarded the contract to import eggs from India.
“Yesterday about 9.51 in the morning, I received a call from someone called Deepak who claimed to represent (egg importer) J&E Tech Sdn Bhd who said he has discussed with the PMO for me to make a statement and we can settle outside of the court.
“I think this is not an instruction from the prime minister, this person is merely using the PMO’s name,” Wee (above) said in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said this is because he previously had a good discussion with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim about the issue of imported eggs from India.
While Wee did not specify who ‘Deepak’ was in the House, he later confirmed with Malaysiakini that it was indeed Deepak Jaikishan.
J&E is the sole company that Putrajaya allowed to import eggs from India during a local supply shortage.
Checks on J&E’s company information with the Companies Commission of Malaysia found that Deepak was not listed as a shareholder or director in the firm.
Wee previously complained that the imported eggs were smaller and less cost-effective than those produced locally.
Malaysiakini is attempting to contact Deepak for comment.
Wee previously received a lawyer’s letter from the counsel of the company importing eggs from India over his remarks in Parliament.
However, he pointed out Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul said the importer cannot take legal action against him because MPs enjoy legal immunity when addressing the House.
This is enshrined under Article 63 of the Federal Constitution.
As such, Wee said today that if the firm were to insist on taking legal action against him, it would be belittling the speaker and the parliamentary institution.
“We have to cite contempt of parliamentary proceedings,” he said.
Voicing people’s concerns
Wee also said he never mentioned the name of the firm importing eggs from India nor any individuals linked to the company.
When he first commented on the issue, he did not even know which company was awarded the project to import eggs from India, he said.
The Ayer Hitam MP stressed that he was merely performing his role as an elected people’s representative to voice their concerns on an important issue.
“I refuse to be made use of like a chess piece by any company which wants me to make a statement because I am just acting as the rakyat’s representative.
“As the rakyat’s representative, we cannot be threatened in any manner,” he said. - Mkini
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