THE decision to suspend three DAP MPs did not need to be brought to the rights and privileges committee, said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia.

Pandikar said cases are only brought to the committee if they are not clear and need to be investigated.

“If it was brought to the committee, it’s as if the matter is unclear and needs investigation. What is there to investigate? A letter has been given. We have asked if they want to apologise or not,” he told reporters in Parliament today.

The suspension of Nga Kor Ming (DAP-Taiping), V. Sivakumar (DAP-Batu Gajah) and Ngeh Koo Ham (DAP-Beruas) was announced by deputy speaker Ronald Kiandee yesterday, who said their calls for Pandikar to resign were an insult to the Dewan Rakyat.

Pandikar said in any parliament in the world, nobody should belittle the Speaker who represents the institution.

In a press conference earlier today, Nga said it was unprecedented for an MP to be suspended without being referred to the committee.

“It should be referred to a committee and a hearing must be made.

“We are not given the right to be heard. We represent our constituents. All MPs should be accorded to the right to be heard,” said Nga, adding that Pandikar had made a mistake.

Kiandee yesterday said the order to suspend the MPs was made following the motion regarding the seizure of billion-ringgit yacht Equanimity linked businessman Jho Low, and questions regarding 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

“It was a kind of insult to the honorable Dewan and had also smeared the Dewan Rakyat’s good name.

“Taiping, Beruas and Batu Gajah had made an irrelevant statement to the media and refused to apologise openly pursuant to the standing order,” said Kiandee. – March 27, 2018.