Updated 9.44pm, 19 May 2009
SHAH ALAM, 19 May 2009: The Rights and Privileges Committee of the Selangor state legislative assembly has found five Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblypersons, including former menteri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, guilty of contempt of the assembly, its chairperson Teng Chang Khim said.
The others are Datuk Marsum Paing (Dengkil), Mohd Isa Abu Kasim (Batang Kali), Datuk Warno Dogol (Sabak) and Datuk Mohamed Idris Abu Bakar (Hulu Bernam).
Except for Khir (Sungai Panjang), all were charged with contempt of the assembly following statements they made, accusing the Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) of not being independent and as a political tool to exact revenge.
Khir was charged with three counts of issuing statements in his blog as well as to the media, attacking the integrity of Selcat committee members and accusing Selcat of being a political tool to undermine him (Khir), among other things, Teng told a news conference.
The Privilege Committee also made a majority decision that Khir was guilty for not being present as a witness at a Selcat public hearing in March, he said.
Teng, who earlier chaired the Privilege Committee meeting to sum up the report on the matter, said the findings would be tabled and debated at the state legislative assembly sitting expected to be held in July.
He said the committee recommended that Khir be suspended for a year without allowance and benefits for failing to turn up as a witness at the public hearing.
For insulting Selcat, the privilege committee recommended that Khir be suspended for six months without allowance and benefits, for each of the three charges.
Teng however said the committee suggested that the punishment be carried out concurrently.
Each of the four other assemblypersons could be suspended for six months without allowances and benefits, he added.
The five were called on 12 May to testify before the Privilege Committee which comprises Amirudin Shari (PKR-Batu Caves), Hannah Yeoh (DAP-Subang Jaya), Gan Pei Nei (PKR-Rawang), Dr Shafie Abu Bakar (Pas-Bangi) and Wong Koon Mun (BN-Kuala Kubu Bharu).
Teng said that the recommendation on their suspensions was based on precedence in the suspensions of members of parliament.
Malaysiakini reports that Khir said he would challenge the suspension.
“I have yet to receive the letter from the committee. I have instructed my lawyers to look into the matter and we will file an application for a judicial review to challenge the order,” he said.
He is also having a press conference tomorrow to elaborate. — Bernama
mike says
Good. At last Dr Khir is getting what he deserves. He should be charged in court for what he did to the people of Selangor. Dr Khir should be made to understand that merely screaming loudly that he is innocent does not make him innocent. The PR govt should punish him on Earth and God will take care of him when his time comes.
tanah puteh says
The validity of any proceedings in the Legislative Assembly of any State shall not be questioned in any court. Kir Toyo mahu jadi ini. “Malaysia Boleh”
Pratamad says
Actually I have a different perspective. Suspending Khir Toyo for a year will only benefit him. Being the opposition leader of Selangor state assembly, we are almost certain to see an ineffective and dishonest leadership in BN, even as opposition. We have already proved BN ineffective and dishonest while in power in Selangor. But this suspension gives him the excuse that he cannot carry out the role of Opposition leader in Selangor.