Khir to file suit to overturn suspension order

By Christina Tan, The Star

KLANG: Selangor Opposition leader Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo will file a lawsuit to overturn a suspension order issued by the State Legislative Assembly against him and four other Barisan Nasional assemblymen last July.

He said his lawyer was expected to file the case earliest by next week.

The Sungai Panjang assemblyman said he would also file two other separate suits to challenge the contempt of the House ruling against him, one of the provision under the Standing Order, as well as on the formation of the Committee on Competence, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat).

“The Selcat has no clear function and it practices double standard (on Barisan assemblymen),” he claimed.

He was speaking to reporters after visiting Ahmad Busu, the actor of popular 1980s Malay sitcom Pi Mai Pi Mai Tang Tu, who suffered a stroke, at his house yesterday.

Dr Mohd Khir was suspended for 18 months for not attending the Selcat inquiry and for allegedly making disparaging remarks against the committee in the media.

The other four Barisan assemblymen – Datuk Warno Dogol (Sabak Bernam), Datuk Mohd Idris Abu Bakar (Hulu Bernam), Mohd Isa Abu Kassim (Batang Kali) and Datuk Marsum Paing (Dengkil) – were also suspended for attacking Selcat in the media.

All their privileges as assemblymen have also been revoked throughout the suspension period.

Dr Mohd Khir said he had strong reasons for dragging Selcat to the court, particularly since it practices favouritism.

He questioned why actions were only taken against Barisan assemblymen and not against two state exco members, Iskandar Abdul Samad and Datuk Dr Hassan Ali who had also criticised the committee.