KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 – Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia repeated again his disagreement with a proposed televised debate between 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) chief Arul Kanda and DAP lawmaker Tony Pua. While he also repeated his stand that he would resign if the debate is allowed to continue.
He said this is his stand while if his ruling is not accepted then he won’t hesitate to resign as he have failed to uphold the integrity of parliament. He said today that his stand will not change. He said if the debate as planned on Friday to goes on, he don’t have to be at Dewan Rakyat here on Monday.
“If I dare to do that.. is it wrong for the public debate to be conducted after the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) submits its report on 1MDB to the House? I didn’t say that you will be dropped from PAC. I said I will resign if my ruling is not followed. As for the debate outside parliament, I don’t have the authority to stop people; that is beyond my jurisdiction as Speaker,” said Pandikar which also addressing Tony Pua, who is Petaling Jaya Utara Member of Parliament, in the Dewan Rakyat today.
“Although he cannot stop any public statements or debate, he nevertheless had to interfere as both Tony Pua and Arul would be involved in the investigation by PAC. DAP-Bagan, Lim Guan Eng had earlier asked for Pandikar’s clarification on Standing Order 85 as one of the basis for the ruling,” said Pandikar.
Besides that, Pandikar clarified that he didn’t stop the debate, but questioned its urgency on being held on Friday when the matter is still being investigated by PAC. In the meantime, Pandikar also asked that why they can’t the debate be postponed until PAC submits its report?
