Police investigation into speeches made in State Assembly means parliamentary sovereignty infringed upon

Media statement by Johor DAP Chairman and MP for Kluang Liew Chin Tong on 6th December 2017

Police investigation into speeches made in State Assembly means parliamentary sovereignty infringed upon

Johor DAP is concerned with the police investigation into a speech by Senai State Assemblywoman Wong Shu Qi in the State Assembly. It is a bullying tactic that infringes upon the principles of parliamentary sovereignty.

We also call on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate Menteri Besar Khaled Nordin instead.

Wong has been informed by the police that she should assist the investigation under Section 203A of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 in relation to a speech she made in the Johor State Assembly on 27th November in which she questioned Khaled Nordin over an allegation made by a website.

Section 203A of the Penal Code pertains to disclosure of information, while Section 233 of the CMA pertains to the improper use of network facilities or network service.

The website has shown documents which were later confirmed by MACC as genuine; that a witness in the corruption case of former Exco Latiff Bandi alleged that Khaled had received RM 12 million for changing the status of a plot of land.

Wong was posing a question to Khaled in a speech which should be replied with a proper answer, not with the police investigation. Speeches made in Parliament or State Assembly are given immunity to allow representatives to speak without fear or favour.

In the Westminster parliamentary democracy that Malaysia supposedly practices, the parliament or a state assembly comprises of the monarch and the elected representations, which shall be supreme than the executive branch or even the judicial branch of the government.

Police investigation into speeches made inside the House sets a dangerous precedent which infringes upon the rights and privileges of an elected representative to raise questions and issues on behalf of the people.

Johor DAP calls on the Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohamad Fuzi Harun to review the ridiculous act of this particular police investigation which would certainly be seen by the public as an attempt to silence Wong and the Opposition, and to cover up for Khaled Nordin.

Johor DAP also reiterates the call by Pakatan Harapan Johor State Assemblymen on Monday 4th December 2017 that there shall be an independent State Commission of Inquiry (state version of Royal Commission of Inquiry) to investigate the land scandals involving Khaled and Latiff Bandi that marred the image of the Johor State Government.

Liew Chin Tong