Perikatan Nasional (PN) MPs have urged action to be taken against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's photographer over an image allegedly showing a PN lawmaker vaping while in the Dewan Rakyat.
The opposition coalition's chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan said immediate action should be taken against Sadiq Asyraf for violating parliamentary rules by photographing Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (PN-Tanah Merah) holding a cylindrical object to his mouth in the august house.
After the photo went viral, Ikmal refuted claims he was vaping and claimed that the object in question was a pen.
At a press conference at the Parliament lobby today, Takiyuddin (above) said the Parliament should act against the premier's photographer, as stipulated under Section 347 of the Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952.
"Section 9 (e) of the law pertains to obstructing any member coming to or going from the house. It has now been proven that a photographer from the Prime Minister's Department has taken a photo in such a manner and made it viral.
"Is the prime minister's photographer becoming a paparazzi for the sake of defaming someone? I hope the Parliament can enlighten whether they will call him up," said Takiyuddin (PN- Kota Bharu).
Initiate internal probe
Meanwhile, Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) said the Dewan Rakyat speaker should also stand in solidarity with Ikmal.
"The Parliament should initiate an internal probe instead of issuing a show cause letter to Tanah Merah (Ikmal).
"The Parliament is equipped with CCTV and has physical evidence where the sergeant-at-arms was present.
“The probe should be focused on that instead of letting the burden of proof on Ikmal to show that he was not smoking vape," Ronald added.
After Ikmal's aide lodged a police report against Sadiq, Kuala Lumpur police chief Allaudeen Abdul Majid said there were no criminal elements involved in the matter.
Meanwhile, Ikmal reiterated his innocence at today's presser, stressing he does not smoke, nor vape.
"Today, I received a letter from the speaker, where he told me that upon scrutiny, it cannot be ascertained whether I had vaped, and therefore, no action will be taken against me.
"I want to ask whether the speaker had called the photographer involved. I believe a professional photographer will not snap a single photo. Also, were CCTV checks conducted?" Ikmal asked.
He claimed that his reputation had been tarnished following the episode.
"If it has been proven that I did not vape, I hope the speaker will reprimand outsiders, no matter if they are photographers or visitors, to not make things viral."
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.