KUALA LUMPUR: Gobind Singh Deo has called on Kuala Kangsar Parliamentarian Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid to explain his reasons for supporting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Damansara MP questioned why Iskandar did not file a report against claims made by Perikatan Nasional leaders that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had intimidated and blackmailed him into supporting the unity government. During a speech in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Oct 16), Gobind stated that they had the authority to call Iskandar and ask him to explain the situation. He referenced Section 4 of the Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952, which grants the house powers to inquire, judge, and pronounce upon acts that can be punished as contempt under Section 29 of the same act. He further explained that Section 29 of the Act refers to a person who is liable to punishment if found guilty of contempt by the house. Gobind suggested the implementation of a mechanism to take action if the claims made by Iskandar were valid. He stated that similar claims had been made during the Perikatan administration and with the current government, emphasizing the importance of resolving the issue for the public and lawmakers over the next five years.
Iskandar Dzulkarnain publicly declared his support for the Prime Minister on October 12, citing the purpose of easing the burden faced by his constituents due to the rising cost of living. Iskandar, who expressed his loyalty to Bersatu, also claimed that the Prime Minister had promised that allocations would be given to lawmakers who support the unity government’s policies. In response, Perikatan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin alleged that Iskandar had been intimidated and threatened into supporting Anwar.
