BARISAN Nasional Backbenchers’ Club chairman Shahrir Abdul Samad has called for three DAP lawmakers to be cited for being in contempt of Parliament by accusing Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia of collusion in covering up corruption scandals.

He said Nga Kor Ming (Taiping), Ngeh Koo Ham (Beruas) and V. Sivakumar (Batu Gajah) had asked Pandikar to resign after the speaker rejected an emergency motion on the 1Malaysia Development Bhd-linked luxury yacht Equanimity and questions related to the state investor.

“Not all 1MDB questions were rejected, and the speaker has explained to the media his position on questions relating to 1MDB.

“So, we want action to be taken against the three,” he said during a press conference at the Parliament building today.

Yesterday, the three DAP lawmakers issued a statement, saying Pandikar had failed to uphold the truth and the most honourable thing for him to do was to resign. 

“If not, Parliament will risk losing its noble image and status,” they said. 

Shahrir said the statement by the trio had element of prejudgment and presumption and it was wrong for them to do so. 

Earlier this week, Pandikar turned down an emergency motion by Gooi Hsiao Leung (PKR-Alor Setar), which urged Prime Minister Najib Razak to explain why the government did not intend to claim confiscated luxury yacht Equanimity.

The motion was rejected under section 18(7)(c) of the Standing Orders, which allows the speaker to refuse any motion presented to him if it contravenes the Standing Orders.

Yesterday, Pandikar again rejected two 1MDB-related questions from by Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Gelang Patah) and another four questions by Tony Pua (DAP-Petaling Jaya Utara). – March 8, 2018.