Cops question Perak Speaker Sivakumar
By Clara Chooi and Ivan Loh, The Star
Perak Assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar was questioned for over two hours by police here following reports lodged over his suspension of the current Barisan Nasional state government from entering the House.
Four policemen from the Commercial Crimes Investigation Department conducted the questioning at 3pm Monday at lawyer Chan Kok Keong’s office near here.
At about 5.30pm, Sivakumar emerged from the office accompanied by Chan, lawyer Anthony Augustin, and assemblymen Wong Kah Wong, A. Sivasubramaniam, Yee Seu Kai and Chan Ming Kai.
“I have cooperated with the police and there was no problem during the questioning.
“I gave my statement because it is my responsibility to tell the police what is necessary,” he said.
Although Sivakumar refused to relay further details to the media, he immediately released a press statement calling on the police to cease all investigations against any member of the assembly, including himself.
In the statement, Sivakumar said the Legislative Assembly (Privileges) Enactment 1959 and Article 72 of the Federal Constitution gave absolute immunity to all assembly members from any civil or criminal proceedings.
“It is my belief that any investigation by the police against any member of this assembly is a violation of existing laws and legal provisions of this country,” he said in the statement.
Sivakumar added that as such, all investigations against himself or any member of the assembly should stop.
The statement also said that the police had called on Sivakumar on Sunday to give his statement at the Sungai Senam police station.
“It was not revealed to me the purpose and need for my statement.
“As I had other matters to deal with, I told them that I could meet them on Monday,” he said.
To date, a total of 19 police reports has been lodged against Sivakumar for suspending and barring Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Zambry Abd Kadir and his six-member executive council from attending assembly.
Investigations have been opened under Section 124/120B of the Penal Code.
The offence under Section 124, which involves compelling an elected representative to refrain from exercising his lawful powers, carries a maximum seven years’ jail with a fine upon conviction.
