KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7: Seputeh MP Teresa Kok has expressed her disappointment over the Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia’s handling MPs’ questions on issues involving Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) or the Department of Justice report (DoJ).
“I think the Speaker doesn’t know how t
o handle him (Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim), because if anyone were to refer to other MP’s he (Pandikar) is alright, but if you refer to the Prime Minister or anything to do with Najib or DOJ and 1MDB, all “tolak”,” said Kok in an exclusive interview with The Malaysian Times (TMT).
“So on this issue, the best thing to do is to “halau” him (Steven Sim),” said Kok, referring to Sim being ejected from the Dewan Rakyat while arguing his motion to refer Pekan MP Najib to the Parliament’s Rights and Privileges Committee.
When questioned about former Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah speech about 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) in Parliament, Kok said: “No secret was being exposed; OSA (Official Secrets Act) was not infringed at all.
“The freedom of speech inside the Dewan as a Member of Parliament is being infringed,” she said.
Kok, who is also DAP vice chairman, said that what Husni said was really nothing and that he did not discuss cabinet secrets or anything.
Husni is now under investigation over the alleged violations of the OSA.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said that Husni’s case was also classified under the Sedition Act.
He added that this is because the investigation into 1MDB was still underway and that talking about it might jeopardise the process.
“Even in Parliament, it doesn’t give an MP the immunity against the Sedition Act to speak about such matters,” said Khalid.
The police have, however, postponed the meet indefinitely.
Kok said that the police can investigate if they want, but questioned what will they get as the speech is already on the internet and everyone can watch it on YouTube and see for themselves.
She said that Umno member should be embarrassed about not backing up their own member.
“Malu (embarrassing) you know, the ones that went and backed up Husni were Pakatan Harapan MP’s.
“He is still one of you (Umno) and none of you supported him.
“After, our big Pakatan Harapan’s hoo-ha in parliament, the police they dare not touch Husni and postponed the statement recording that day.
“What sort of Parliament do we have now?” asked Kok and added that people like Sungai Besar division leader Datuk Seri Jamal Yunos is allowed to say anything he wishes with no repercussions.
“Here you have the Umno backbenchers giving tacit support to Jamal and the gang.
“You see with freedom of speech, Jamal can go and say whatever he wants, but the MPs can’t speak freely in the Dewan Rakyat,” said Kok.
She said that Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz is the only person that spoke out against Jamal to say that the latter’s behaviour does not reflect on Umno.
“Even the Home Minister has not said anything about it, nor has any other minister.
“People expect us to speak out rite?
“But they let Jamal to go and speak out and allow him to say “pertumpahan darah” (blood shed) all,” said Kok to TMT.