BN reps sue Selangor govt, Speaker

(The Star) – Three Barisan Nasional assemblymen have filed a suit against the Selangor state government, the State Assembly Speaker and the Select Committee on Competence, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) seeking a declaration that all Selcat proceedings be declared null and void.

The three — Raja Ideris Raja Ahmad (Sabak Bernam), Hasiman Sidom (Morib) and Wong Koon Mun (Kuala Kubu Baharu) — filed the suit at the High Court civil registry here on Monday.

The respondents they named are Teng Chang Khim in his capacity as Selangor State Speaker, and chairman of both Selcat and the assembly’s Privileges Committee; Deputy Speaker Haniza Mohamed Celha; the state government; secretary of the State Assembly; Selcat and all its members.

In their originating summons, they said that the current composition of Selcat does not reflect the balance between the parties within the State Assembly as required by the Standing Orders of the State Assembly.

They are demanding that Selcat hearings must not be made public prior to the presentation of its report to the Assembly.

They also claimed that there is a conflict of interest as the first defendant Teng is the Speaker of the Assembly as well as chairman of the Privileges Committee and Selcat, and therefore want the court to declare all proceedings conducted by Selcat null and void as they are contrary to the rules of natural justice.

They also want a declaration that the proceedings and functions of Selcat have impeded upon matters reserved by the Standings Orders of the State Assembly and the state constitution, for the Public Accounts Committee.

Therefore, Selcat has acted in excess of its jurisdiction, they said.

They also want a declaration that all matters handled by Selcat have exceeded the scope of the matters referred to Selcat by the State Assembly and therefore want the proceedings declared null and void.

They also want a declaration that the State Assembly does not have the jurisdiction to pass and enact criminal offences in the nature of the Contempt of Assembly Enactment 2009 and therefore whatever has been passed is ultra vires (in violation) of the Selangor State Constitution as well as the Federal Constitution.

More to come