Perikatan MPs say they are confused by Speaker's decisions on DNAA issue

KUALA LUMPUR: Members of Parliament from the Perikatan Nasional coalition are questioning the decision of Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul to allow the court case of Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to be discussed in Parliament, despite rejecting a motion for a special sitting on the matter. Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal expressed his confusion, stating that it appeared contradictory. He mentioned that his motion was denied by the Speaker, yet he is now given the opportunity to raise the issue. “I am not certain how much time will be allocated for the discussion or how many individuals can engage in the debate,” he said during a press conference outside the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Sept 11).

Meanwhile, Perikatan chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan explained that, according to Parliamentary practices, matters related to the Standing Order should be debated after a question-and-answer session on the day’s proceedings. He argued that since the current sitting is a special one with no designated question-and-answer session, it is appropriate to discuss the motion before beginning the day’s proceedings, which currently involve the mid-term review of the 12th Malaysia Plan. “Therefore, we proposed it, but unfortunately, the Speaker did not agree. Nevertheless, he promised that Machang could bring up the matter afterwards,” Takiyuddin stated at the same press conference.

Takiyuddin also accused Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of overstepping his authority by claiming that Ahmad Zahid’s discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) could not be debated in Parliament. Anwar made this statement to reporters at Masjid Jamek Seri Petaling on Friday (Sept 8). Wan Ahmad Fayshal argued that this gave the impression that the executive branch of the country was protecting Ahmad Zahid. “This is what the people want to know, along with an explanation from the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms). Why is it that individuals who commit petty theft are imprisoned, while someone in the position of deputy prime minister is seemingly untouchable and shielded by Parliament, the Speaker, and the executive branch?” he questioned.

In addition to Wan Ahmad Fayhsal, Arau MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim also submitted a motion to debate Ahmad Zahid’s DNAA. He received a similar response to what Machang had received. “Since there is no question-and-answer session today, we should be allowed to address the matter,” Shahidan asserted. Last Friday, Wan Ahmad Fayshal filed an emergency motion for a special sitting, during which the Attorney General would explain the decision to grant Ahmad Zahid a DNAA on September 4, stressing that it was a matter of public interest. Parliament is scheduled to sit for six days, beginning on Monday, to present the mid-term review of the 12th Malaysia Plan and subsequently debate it.