KUALA LUMPUR – Surprised by police probing into his parliamentary debate speech, which allegedly touched on secession, Sepanggar MP Datuk Azis Jamman has questioned why he is the only one singled out by the authorities on the matter.
Stressing that he was only doing his job as a lawmaker in expressing the Sabah people’s sentiments over the “unfair” Budget 2022, Azis pointed out that Keningau MP Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan had also made similar statements in his own parliamentary speech.
Azis, who is Warisan Youth chief, said his interrogation reeks of persecution against opposition MPs, adding that perhaps there is an attempt to silence MPs.
“I was quite surprised by the police calling me in for questioning. I was the only one being questioned,” he said at a press conference at the media gallery in the Parliament complex after his questioning by the police today.
“I was only expressing the voice and aspiration of the people in Sabah over the unfair budget.”
He said that he is uncertain if he will be prosecuted, but will stand by what he has said.
“As I have said before, the Keningau MP had also said the same stuff and in fact much worse from what I have said before. It is not only the Keningau MP, but many Sabah leaders who were unhappy with the budget.
“Why is it only me? Is it because I am an opposition MP?” Azis asked.
“If MPs are now being probed for their word, does this mean we can no longer raise the aspiration and voice of the people in Parliament?" he told reporters.
Earlier, Bukit Aman officers had called Azis in for questioning over his speech that allegedly harboured claims of secession.
Azis also asked where else he can talk about such matters if not in Parliament.
He added that the move against him is a step backwards by the government and does not bode well for Malaysia’s democratic system.
In his budget debate on November 9, Azis had allegedly spoken about growing calls for Sabah to attain “independence” from Malaysia due to the unfair budget.
Speaking to The Vibes later, Azis maintained he did not mention secession.
A day before, Kitingan had claimed that 60% of East Malaysians are calling for Sabah and Sarawak to leave the federation as they are disappointed with the development funds allocated under Budget 2022.
Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili had chided East Malaysian MPs, saying they should mind their words so as not to imply Sabah is being colonised by Putrajaya.
Meanwhile, PKR’s Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil and DAP’s Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh said the move by police to haul up MPs over their speeches infringes on the rights of parliamentarians to raise issues plaguing the people.
Fahmi said MPs should be allowed to talk as long as what they say does not violate the law, adding that he will bring this matter up in the Dewan Rakyat’s Commitee on Reforms for deliberation.
He also asked whether Azis had violated any law, given that the MPs’ right to express such matters comes under Section 124 of the Penal Code.
Yeoh said the episode should not have happened as Parliament is the only platform for MPs to freely raise the plight of the people, adding that it is not a place for them to be punished over what they say. – The Vibes, November 23, 2021
