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TUE, 08 JUN 2010 17:57
KUALA LUMPUR: Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar today reiterated the need for the parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee to respect democracy and adhere to convention.
She said it was vital that the committee practises the fullest standards of transparency and natural justice in the case involving Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.
“At the very least, it is crucial that Anwar and his counsel be present during the investigation stage, including in the sessions involving Apco representatives to ensure they are not only being just, but also seen to do so,” she said in a statement today.
Nurul Izzah was responding to the committee’s decision to disallow legal representation for Anwar when he testifies.
The committee is chaired by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia with members comprising deputy speaker Ronald Kiandee, Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugur), Fong Chan Onn (BN-Alor Gajah), Razali Ibrahim (BN-Muar), Nancy Shukri (BN-Batang Sadong) and R Sivarasa (PKR-Subang).
The committee today informed Anwar that he cannot be represented by his lawyer at the hearing. The decision was made after the committee members took a vote on the matter.
Karpal said his and Sivarasa’s votes for Anwar to have the right to legal representation were outweighed by the four BN MPs.
MPs not allowed too
The committee also decided to deny other members of parliament access to the proceedings.
In an immediate reaction, Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo said he will be forwarding a letter to the committee demanding an explanation on why other MPs were not allowed to attend the proceeding.
Meanwhile, Nurul Izzah also queried the reasoning behind the decision to bar MPs from the hearing.
“The convention clearly allows us to be present during such deliberations.
“What better way to safeguard and demonstrate parliamentary democracy in action than through openly disclosing the Rights and Privileges Committee’s process at work?
“But once again we bear witnesses to another assault on parliamentary democracy. Any semblance of a fair hearing is now tarnished. Why bother with the committee at all?” she asked.
Meanwhile, Anwar faces the prospect of a six-month suspension if convicted.
Anwar was referred to the disciplinary committee for his accusation in Parliament linking government-employed public relations outfit, Apco Worldwide, to Israel.
Anwar had requested yesterday for a public hearing and not the usual closed-door proceeding.
