court to decide on parliament speeches of three ex-ministers: pandikar

Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia on Tuesday said only the court had jurisdiction to determine whether there was a breach of the Sedition Act or the Official Secrets Act (OSA) by three former senior Ministers in their speech in Parliament.He said the Dewan Rakyat respected the immunity and privileges of the Members of Parliament to speak, but it had no power to prevent the authorities from taking action against parliamentary members if their speeches were believed to have breached certain acts.

"In this regard, the honourable members for Pagoh (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin), Semporna (Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal) and Tambun (Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah) spoke, they were not prevented from speaking, but some quarters outside felt their speeches violated the Sedition Act or OSA.

"So, the police call the honourable Members of Parliament concerned to record their statements and the testimony will be handed over to the Attorney-General's Chambers for consideration whether there is any breach of the law," he added.

"The Attorney-General may take up the case to court and it is up to the court to determine whether they have violated any of the laws," he told the Dewan Rakyat here Tuesday.

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He was replying to a question by Mohamed Hanipa Maidin (Amanah-Sepang) at the end of question time on the immunity of Members of Parliament to speak in the House.

Mohamed Hanipa also called on the Speaker to write a letter to the Inspector-General of Police to stop investigating members of Parliament, except when they made seditious statements.

Pandikar Amin said he and his deputy only had jurisdiction to ensure smooth proceeding of the Dewan Rakyat and compliance to the house standing orders.

"If other honourable members concur with Sepang MP that our immunity should be defended, let the court made its pronouncement, it is not my duty as the Speaker," he added.

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Last Nov 4, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said three former Cabinet Ministers were believed to have leaked government secrets, including those relating to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), in the Dewan Rakyat and that they would be investigated under the Sedition Act 1948 and the Official Secrets Act 1972.

The three former Ministers were alleged to have leaked government secrets when debating the 2017 Supply Bill at the Dewan Rakyat.

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