IPOH, 2 March 2009: Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and his six state executive councillors (excos) today applied to the High Court here to declare the decision by Perak state assembly Speaker V Sivakumar to suspend them as null and void.
In the originating summons filed this afternoon, Zambry and the excos claimed that the 18 and 12 months suspensions imposed on him and the excos respectively contravened the state constitution.
Speaking at a press conference at his office here, Zambry said he understood the High Court would hear the application at 9am tomorrow.
The plaintiffs also want the court to declare that they have the right to attend and take part in all state assembly proceedings and carry out the duties entrusted to them.
Sivakumar has called for an emergency sitting of the assembly tomorrow and sent notices to that effect except to Zambry, the six excos, and the three independent assemblypersons who signed undated resignation letters which are also being contested in court.
The summons was filed by lawyers Hafarizam Harun, Badrul Hisham Abdul Wahab and Ong Teng Boon at the High Court at 3.55pm. Some 50 Barisan Nasional (BN) supporters turned up.
Zambry said they also wanted the court to declare that the assembly was not subject to Sivakumar’s orders, directives or guidance.
“I wish to state that whatever the issue, whether the suspension of me and the other six plaintiffs, the right to attend assembly sittings and any other matters are now before the court.
“As such, any action by Sivakumar can be deemed sub-judice and in contempt of the court,” he said.
Zambry urged Sivakumar to act rationally according to the law and to uphold the state constitution and his oath of loyalty to the Sultan of Perak.
The emergency meeting planned for tomorrow, he said, cannot be held because it was illegal as it did not get the Sultan’s consent.
The press conference was attended by all the BN assemblypersons as well as two of the independents, Changkat Jering assemblyperson Mohd Osman Jailu and Behrang assemblyperson Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi.
The BN came into power in Perak early last month after the ruling opposition coalition lost its majority in the assembly.
The BN government now has 28 seats in the assembly, the same as the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) ruling coalition of PAS, DAP and PKR. The three independents, who left the PR coalition, have thrown their support behind the BN.
Yesterday, Sivakumar stressed that he would go ahead with the emergency sitting as planned despite the assembly’s secretary Abdullah Antong Sabri issuing a statement that it was illegal because it did not get the consent of Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak.
Police have begun to mount roadblocks in front of the State Secretariat Building which houses the state assembly and mobilised the Federal Reserve Unit.
Perak police chief Datuk Zulkefli Abdullah has issued a warning to the public not to gather in the area tomorrow while the state secretariat has also issued a notice that the building would be closed tomorrow. — Bernama
alibabamahathir says
It means Zambry recognises the Speaker has the power to suspend him. Very good.
But I am counting the days before Datuk Seri Nasib orders the ISA powers to be used to lock up all the opposition MPs and assemblypersons. Kamunting will be overloaded soon.
Caterers for Kamunting will be happy going to the bank because Barisan Nasi-onal promised better food for Kamunting residents in future. I heard the budget per meal will be increased from RM4.50 to RM10.00. That means the tender value will exceed RM500,000, so no open tender.
Don’t know who is getting the negotiated tender from the BN gravy train this time.
Long Live Rasuah.
Rasuah is King.