Pandikar urged to challenge AGC's decision to charge Khalid's assaulters

KUALA LUMPUR: An opposition member wants Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia (pix) to challenge the decision made by the Attorney-General's Chamber (AGC) to charge his assaulters in parliament under the Minor Offences Act 1955.
Shah Alam MP Khalid Abdul Samad in a letter to the speaker said Pandikar Amin had the responsibility to defend the image of Parliament as the charges made on the suspects had insulted the legislative institution.
In the letter, Pandikar Amin was urged to take legal action allowed under the speaker's jurisdiction against the assaulters if the AGC remained firm with the charges.
The letter, copies of which were distributed to the media, was submitted to the speaker's office today.
The eight suspects on Monday were charged by the KL magistrate's court under Section 14 of the act, which only provides a maximum punishment of RM100.
Khalid was attacked by a mob, believed to be supporters of Agriculture Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Tajudin Abdul Rahman, as the former was walking to the main Parliament building on Nov 24. Also believed to be part of the assaulters was Tajudin's sons.
The attack was a fallout from a heated exchange between Tajudin and Khalid in the chamber. Both had argued over a remark Tajudin had made against DAP Seputeh member Teresa Kok.
Khalid said his assaulters should be charged under Section 124 of the Penal Code, which was specially drafted to protect members of Parliament.
"If the AG insist in maintaining the charge, Tan Sri Pandikar has every right to act and take legal action on this group of people based on his authority as the speaker of the parliament," Khalid said.
"This is because the incident happened in Parliament, involving Parliament's police. The speaker can take legal initiative in his own capacity as the speaker," he added.