Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman Said told the House that the Federal Government was not able to answer any question regarding the donation now due to a lawsuit by former Premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and a judicial review by the Bar Council regarding the RM2.6 billion issue.
Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo interjected saying that the Speaker could make a ruling whether or not an issue could be discussed, despite it being a court case.
“The reason I want a ruling is because we can get an answer now,” Gobind said.
This was followed by several MPs from the Opposition who shouted: “How is this sub judice?”
Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee said he had checked with Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia on the issue and was told the latter would decide on it by Monday.
“Listen, listen, listen. This is the problem, you won’t listen.
“I’ve checked with him (Pandikar). He will give a decision on Monday,” Kiandee said.
This caused uproar in Parliament with several MPs from both sides arguing while Kiandee tried to get them to stop talking.
The argument lasted for almost 20 minutes until Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom stood up and started his debate on expanding the powers of the Shariah Court.
However, this did not stop other MPs continuing to argue with each other.
After a while, Kiandee stepped out of the House to let Pandikar take over and the House went silent.
“We want a ruling. Isn’t the person sitting in the chair supposed to make a decision? I’m sorry but you (Pandikar) should’ve come here half an hour ago. Why didn’t you come up earlier?
“What’s your ruling and why do we have to wait until Monday?” Gobind asked Pandikar.
Despite the chaos, Pandikar kept his cool and told the House that he had been doing research to see how parliaments in other countries solved this type of issues.
He reiterated Azalina’s statement saying that debating on the RM2.6 billion issue would be sub judice as there were legal cases pending in court.
“The minister’s (Azalina) mistake was that she pre-empted the issue by usurping the powers of the Speaker. So never ever, should any minister repeat this again.
“If not, then people will say the Speaker is simply following directives from the higher-ups.
“Can’t you go out, have fried rice with teh tarik while smoking a cigar and then argue?
“I already said it, I will give you my decision on Monday,” Pandikar stressed.
As he said that, Gobind stood up and asked Jamil Khir to answer the questions on the RM2.6 billion political donation to which the latter said he had no information on the issue and that he would need to get the information first.
“The minister (Jamil Khir, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department) is not ready to answer. This shows the standard of ministers!” Gobind shouted.
This then led Pandikar to turn off the MP’s microphones.