'Public interest matters outweigh sub judice'

KUALA LUMPUR: Government lawmakers have been reminded of a court ruling in May that matters of public interest outweigh subjudice.
PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli said MPs should not use the excuse that issues as such cannot be discussed in the open as they were already in court.
He was commenting on Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki's claims that he cannot debate with him on Tabung Haji's (TH) performance as it would affect court proceedings.
"Even if a case is being brought to court under the Penal Code, that's not an excuse not to debate or discuss it," he told a press conference at the parliament lobby, here, today.
High Court judge Justice S. Nantha Balan had, on May 20, ruled that the law of contempt cannot be used to curtail public discussion on matters of public importance and interest although it may be the subject of a court action.
The ruling was made in a proceeding over a defamation suit against Rafizi involving Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) business dealings.
"This ruling is applicable to any issue of public interest, including on TH and 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
"If any ministers or deputies in the future claim that it is sub judice to discuss certain matters because it has been brought to court, remind them of this," Rafizi added.