Parliament in uproar as opposition pushes RM2.6b political donation questions

(Malay Mail Online) – Questions over a RM2.6 billion political donation to the Barisan Nasional (BN) have triggered another ruckus in Parliament today as the government insists discussions in the House would be subjudice with two lawsuits pending in court.

Both BN and opposition lawmakers got into a heated exchange when minister in the prime minister’s department Datuk Azalina Othman Said said the federal government is not able to answer any question about the donation now due to the lawsuits.

Azalina suggested DAP MP for Puchong, Gobind Singh Deo, convince the Bar Council to drop its lawsuit to allow for the issue to be discussed in Parliament.

“That’s why I would like to ask my friend Puchong [MP], who I’m sure is a member of the Bar Council, to advise the Bar Council to withdraw the matter and we’ll talk about it in the dewan.”

Gobind then stood up and disputed her stand, saying that the parliament speaker could make a ruling whether or not an issue can be discussed, despite it being a court case, as “there must be prejudice to the interest of the parties.”

“The reason I want a ruling is because we can get an answer now,” Gobind said.

Subjudice is a legal term which prevents a topic to be discussed publically if the issue is under judicial consideration.

Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee who was in charge at that time then said: “I decide that 36(2) is applicable in this case,” he said, referring to Standing Order 36(2).

Standing Order 36(2) states that “reference shall not be made to any matter which is sub judice in such a way as might in the opinion of the Chair prejudice the interests of parties thereto.”