The Malaysian Insight

INSTEAD of apologising, three DAP lawmakers will file a new motion to debate the Dewan Rakyat speaker’s decision to reject questions and motions concerning the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.

Nga Kor Ming (DAP-Taiping) said they would not apologise, but wanted Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia to explain why the auditor-general’s report on 1MDB was classified under the Official Secrets Act if no misappropriation had occurred, and why there had been no effort from the Malaysian government to claim the money allegedly siphoned off from 1MDB in the US Department of Justice (DoJ) suit.

“Since the speaker doesn’t allow us to ask questions in Parliament, we suggest that he answer our questions,” Nga said at Parliament today.

“And there is no basis for apology. Our conscience is clear and there is no regret.

“We respect the speaker, but we sincerely believe he is under tremendous pressure from the Barisan Nasional government who is trying to close the matter. We will continue to pursue justice,” he said.

In a letter dated March 13, Pandikar demanded that Nga, Ngeh Koo Ham (DAP-Beruas) and V. Sivakumar (DAP-Batu Gajah) issue an open apology in the Dewan Rakyat for accusing him of collusion in covering up corruption scandals.

Pandikar said the MPs’ statement had insulted him and tarnished the good name of the Dewan Rakyat with their accusations, and that a failure to apologise would result in action against them. 

In a joint statement issued last week, the trio said Pandikar should not be an accomplice in covering up corruption scandals, and should honourably resign if he failed to uphold the truth.

They urged him to step down after he rejected an emergency motion on the 1MDB-linked luxury yacht Equanimity and questions related to the state investor.

Nga said the motion would be filed on Monday, and that the speaker should let the house decide on the matter. 

“We need to speak out without fear or favour because we need to seek the truth. We are willing to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of upholding justice and defending trust. 

“It’s not about apologising, it’s about integrity and the function of the August House,” he said. 

Last week, Pandikar turned down an emergency motion by Gooi Hsiao Leung (PKR-Alor Star), which urged Prime Minister Najib Razak to explain why the government did not intend to claim the confiscated yacht.

The motion was rejected under Section 18(7)(c) of the Standing Orders, which allowed the speaker to refuse any motion presented to him if it contravened the Standing Orders. 

He also rejected two 1MDB-related questions from by Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Gelang Patah) and another four questions by Tony Pua (DAP-Petaling Jaya Utara). 

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman Said, who was in charge of parliamentary affairs, had also rebuked the three MPs, saying they had besmirched Parliament by demanding Pandikar to resign. 

She said the three MPs’ statement was malicious and showed the opposition’s desperation. – March 15, 2018.