PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional accuses Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of power abuse and breaking the law for refusing Parliament to debate the High Court’s decision on Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s Yayasan Akalbudi corruption case.
According to Perikatan Nasional chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (pic), the Prime Minister has no authority or right to determine or decide based on the standing order if there is a motion submitted to debate the matter.
Takiyuddin further explains that the acceptance or rejection of such a motion falls within the jurisdiction and discretion of the Speaker of the House.
“It is evident that the Prime Minister has exceeded his authority and role as the Head of the Council by preempting the decision that should have been made by the Speaker of the House,” stated Takiyuddin in a statement released on Saturday (Sept 9).
Takiyuddin also emphasized the urgency and necessity for the case, in which Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid was granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA), to be debated at the highest forum in the country. He believes that this case has a significant impact not only on the legal and judiciary institutions but also on the image and integrity of the government and the country in the eyes of the people and the international community.
“The negative response, dissatisfaction, and surprise among many parties, along with the ongoing debate and comments among the people, clearly indicate the importance of the case and the Attorney General’s decision,” Takiyuddin added.
Perikatan also finds the Prime Minister’s excuse for rejecting the debate, based on the fact that the Attorney General is not a minister or a Member of Parliament, to be unacceptable. Takiyuddin highlights that all legal issues raised in Parliament, even those concerning 1MDB cases, have been sufficiently addressed and explained by relevant ministers in the past.
Perikatan strongly believes that the decisions leading to the DNAA judgment need to undergo scrutiny and examination by Parliament due to their close relationship with the integrity and trustworthiness of various parties involved.
In response, Anwar stated on Friday that the High Court’s decision, which granted Ahmad Zahid a DNAA, cannot be debated in a special Parliament sitting. He asserts that Parliament should not be transformed into a courtroom to discuss the decision made by Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah regarding Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister.
However, Anwar clarifies that the government has no objection to any Member of Parliament asking about the case during regular Dewan Rakyat sessions, as long as Parliament is not turned into a courtroom.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
