KUALA LUMPUR – The police investigation into a speech Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman (Sepanggar-Warisan) made in Dewan Rakyat has ignited calls from lawmakers who fear infringement on their rights and privileges in the lower House.
This prompted Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin (Hang Tuah Jaya-PH) to demand that Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani explain the matter in Parliament.
However, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun said: “That’s going to be difficult as I have never summoned anyone before.”
Lim Guan Eng (Bagan-PH) earlier raised the issue, saying Azis’ speech was made in the lower House and had not garnered objections from other lawmakers or the speaker.
Lim slammed the actions of the police force to investigate and intimidate MPs for performing their duties in the Dewan Rakyat.
“We in the opposition object to the action as it makes them (police) appear to be political tools. Speaker, you should uphold parliamentary sovereignty.”
Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Port Dickson-PH) said there are parliamentary mechanisms in place to discipline MPs.
“This happened to me before when I touched on the issue of 1Malaysia and its similarities to 1Israel. Outside authorities did not take action towards me.”
He said he had read Azis’ speech and found no treasonous elements, demanding Azhar to intervene as it was said in the lower House.
Azis, when given an opportunity by Azhar to explain his position, expressed shock over being summoned by police.
He said it was clear in his speech that he was not calling for Sabah’s secession from the federation, but merely echoing complaints from state residents.
He said this is not only the sentiment in Sabah, but Sarawak, too, as government MPs have made similar statements.
“All I said was, if we want to save Malaysia, implement the Malaysia Agreement 1963. Without Sabah and Sarawak, there’s no Malaysia.” – The Vibes, November 24, 2021
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