Speaker's decision not valid - Dr Wan Junaidi

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 -- Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said whatever decision made by Perak State Legislative Assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar, was not valid.

Dr Wan said any decision made by the Special Privileges Committee cannot be final if the decision was not accepted during the state assembly sitting.

"Taiping MP Nga Kor Ming may say it was valid but that is his view. If we look at what is practiced in Commonwealth countries, the Committee only prepares a written report and tables it during the sitting for approval. Only the state assembly can make the final decision.

"I have read the procedures practiced by the House of Commons in England, Australia and Canada and furthermore the Committee is not allowed to reveal anything before approval from the state assembly," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby here Monday.

Former Perak executive councillor and Taiping MP Nga Kor Ming had claimed that Sivakumar's decision was valid and in accordance with the Perak state constitution.

Nga who is also the Pantai Remis state assemblyman and DAP Youth Chief had said that an emergency state assembly would be called to pass a resolution to declare the appointment of Barisan Nasional (BN) to rule the state, as illegal, in accordance with the Perak state constitution.

"The decision made by Sivakumar was fully compliant to the Perak state constitution," Nga told reporters at the Parliament lobby here.

He said the decision to suspend Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and six executive councillors, need not be tabled at the state assembly for approval as the Speaker had the power to decide.

However, Dr Wan said he had read reports related to the House of Commons in Australia and Canada and knew what he was talking.

"To me, the report must be approved at the state assembly before it can become a reality," said Dr Wan.

Last Wednesday, Sivakumar who chaired the Committee of Special Privileges decided to suspend Dr Zambry for 18 months and the six executive councillors for 12 months from the state assembly, with immediate effect.

-- BERNAMA