KUALA LUMPUR, 13 Oct 2009: The High Court here today fixed 22 Oct for decision in Puchong Member of Parliament (MP) Gobind Singh Deo‘s application to lift his one-year suspension order imposed by the Dewan Rakyat early this year.
Judicial Commissioner Mohd Ariff Md Yusof told Gobind’s cousel, Karpal Singh, and senior federal counsel Azizah Nawawi to file written submissions on Sections 32 and 33 of the Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952.
He said the court needed clarification on the issue of renumeration, whether an MP under suspension can be deprived of his perks and benefits.
“I need both parties to file their written submissions by this Friday, even though I’m fully aware that the house has power in expeling its members,” he said.
He also wanted their written submissions to include the position of the Common Law on the issue.
On 23 April, Gobind filed an originating summons at the High Court here seeking a declaration that his one-year suspension as MP, effective 16 March, is null and void as it violated Article 8 (1) of the Federal Constitution.
He named the Dewan Rakyat speaker, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, Dewan Rakyat Secretary Datuk Roosme Hamzah, and the government as defendants.
Gobind, 36, is also seeking to declare that the letter dated 18 March and signed by Roosme, suspending him as MP and stripping him of all allowances and benefits as MP, is null and void because it is unenforceable under the law.
He wants a declaration that he is entitled to all those allowances and benefits under Article 64, and that the proceedings and decision of the Dewan Rakyat are not immune to adjudication by the court. — Bernama
