1MDB issue in Parliament over, says Pandikar

KUALA LUMPUR: Lawmakers who kick up a fuss for not being allowed to debate questions on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) are playing politics, said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia (pix).
He said discussions on 1MDB in Parliament should have ended after the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) tabled its report.
"About two years ago, PAC investigated the matter. As far as Parliament is concerned, as far the Speaker is concerned, that is the end of the matter.
"For this session, we received over 1,000 proposed questions for debate. Out of all the questions, not all queries about 1MDB were rejected by us. But why do they (Opposition) blame the Speaker? I think it is politically motivated," Pandikar said.
On Monday, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR-Permatang Pauh) said more than 30 questions regarding 1MDB from the Opposition were rejected by the Speaker.
Pandikar said although some of the questions were rejected, he had approved 19 1MDB-related questions for debate.
"So it is not true that no 1MDB question (were approved). The speaker said there will be more questions to be answered (in parliament)."
Pandikar said the Speaker must abide by Article 23(C) of the Parliamentary Standing Order where a lawmaker's question should not contain any element of assumption, criticism, praise or condemnation or confusing words in regard to disputes, or seek explanation on petty issues.
Commenting on Gobind Singh Deo's (Puchong-DAP) move to file a motion on the rejected questions, urging the Speaker to allow the Opposition to debate it, Pandikar said he is bound by Article 15 of Parliamentary Standing Order.
"I also want the motion (by Gobind) to be debated but I am tied to Article 15 of the Standing Order which states that any government motion must be put forward before any other motion.
"I have received Gobind's motion. But say I push this forward and we debate this issue at the expense of the government's important list, do you think the government will accept that?"