Govt bearing down on Nurul Izzah
(The Star) – The Government will refer the case of Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar’s controversial meeting with Sulu “princess” Jacel H. Kiram Hasan to the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
Calling the meeting “unwelcome”, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) said there were several kinds of action that could be taken against the PKR vice-president.
“Operationally, the police will deal with this case and decide on what sort of action can be taken.
“The Government will also pre-sent a paper to the A-G’s Chambers for a legal viewpoint,” Dr Ahmad Zahid told reporters after meeting Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan here yesterday.
Dr Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said Nurul Izzah could also be referred to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker should any MP propose a motion against her.
“While we celebrate differences of opinions in politics, in matters related to national security, politicians must be sensitive and cannot have different opinions.
“Everyone knows that the Jamalul Kiram family is behind the Lahad Datu intrusion. This is not a political case but rather, a case affecting national security and sovereignty.
“If any of our people were to be seen with these people, it would be like an endorsement of the Kiram family. This Government views this meeting as very unwelcome,” said Dr Ahmad Zahid.
Photos of Nurul Izzah posing with Jacel have stirred controversy, with MPs and the public demanding that she explain herself.
In one photo, the PKR vice-president was seen having dinner with Jacel, while in another, both were seen posing with “Release Anwar Immediately” posters.
Jacel is the daughter of Jamalul Kiram III, who ordered an invasion of Sabah in 2013.
Nurul Izzah has since defended her meeting with Jacel, claiming that it was arranged by the Filipino authorities during a PKR delegation visit.
In Kota Kinabalu, senior fellow of the Society Empowerment and Economic Development of Sabah Dr Arnold Puyok said Nurul Izzah owed Sabahans an explanation.
“She should come out and restate her own – and her party’s – stand on Jacel’s open support for the Philippines’ claim on Sabah,” said Dr Puyok, a well-known political analysis in Sabah.
“The implication is that it will only fuel fear among the public because a Malaysian leader is seen socialising with a figure who played an instrumental role in the Sulu intrusion.”
Nurul Izzah’s response, he added, also appeared to show a lack of sensitivity towards the feelings of Sabahans still recovering from the Lahad Datu invasion in 2013.
Sabah PKR chairman Datuk Lajim Ukin took a cautious approach amid the political storm, saying he had spoken to Nurul Izzah and accepted her explanation.
“I have spoken to her and I think I will make no further statement,” he said.
