KUALA LUMPUR: DAP has filed a motion for Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia (pic) to review his decision declaring discussion on matters related to the US Department of Justice (DOJ) legal action on 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) in Parliament as sub judice.
In a press conference, party legal bureau chief Gobind Singh claimed that the Parliament Speaker had erred in his ruling and that room should have been given for discussion before declaring it so.
“Before a ruling can be made, an MP should be given opportunity to ask or explain, only then they can decide.
“In this situation it should be on a question-by-question basis. He cannot make a blanket rule,” he said.
The Puchong MP said that the Speaker should give Members of Parliament the opportunity to present their views and allow the debate.
“We have filed our motion in accordance with Parliament Standing Order 43 as it is the only way we can challenge his decision,” he said.
Pandikar had previously said that the matter was considered sub judice as the civil suit on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) was still ongoing in US courts and that any discussion in Parliament could influence the trial.
“Lawyers arguing the case there (the United States) can quote Malaysian parliamentarians and this can influence the hearing,” said Pandikar.
In response to this, Gobind said American courts would not simply accept excerpts or quotes without evidence and therefore Pandikar need not worry.
In July, the US DoJ filed civil lawsuits seeking to seize dozens of properties linked to 1MDB, saying that funds had been allegedly misappropriated.
The move was done to protect the US financial and banking system under the department’s Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative.-thestar