Speaker of Dewan Rakyat's decision is based solely on the Parliament Standing Order

KUALA LUMPUR: The Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat's decision is based solely on the Parliament Standing Order and not on personal or political opinions.
Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia (pix) said this in clarifying his decision to bar discussion on the civil lawsuit by the United States Department of Justice.
He said his rule was to ensure that the statements from Parliament is not used in US to influence the court trial.
Pandikar said there were 33 questions submitted for oral answers in the Dewan and two motions related to the matter.
"If I allow (the matter) to be debated, it means the minister will have to answer and every answer of a minister in the Dewan will get huge coverage from the media.
"Even if the US does not call witnesses from Malaysia, it can quote what has been said in the Malaysian Parliament in order to influence the trial in US," he told a press conference today.
Pandikar said his ruling was based on three Standing Orders 23(1)(g), 36(2) and 21(1)(a) respectively – which states that any matter still unresolved in court cannot be discussed and that questions to a minister has to be in relation to the portfolio.
Pandikar reiterated that he would give a written explanation on his decision to those who submitted the questions and motions.