PANDIKAR Amin Mulia has reversed his decision to bar members of parliament from taking the report that proposes the re-delineation of electoral areas, following protests from the opposition.

The Dewan Rakyat speaker said after studying the standing orders, he would allow MPs to take out the reports.

“I have referred to the Standing Order 95 A, it does not state that you cannot take out the reports.

“But you cannot publish or distribute it in any form,” he declared in the chamber.

Earlier today, he ruled that the sixth report on the re-delineation proposal for electoral areas in the states 2018 (ST27 year 2018) and federal draft (re-delineation of electoral areas) (Negeri-Negeri Tanah Melayu 2018) (ST 28 year 2018) could not be taken out.“I would like to remind that all the documents cannot be released or published. It is embargoed until it is tabled on Wednesday March 28,” Pandikar said in the Dewan Rakyat today. 

On a lighter note, Pandikar Amin told Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh) and Idris Ahmad (PAS-Bukit Gantang) that they need not rush through the documents,

“Now that you can take it out, relax, lah, and read slowly. But you cannot hightlight it or publish it,” he said.

The re-delineation motion comes after the EC’s latest exercise to redraw electoral boundaries nationwide was completed.

It had prompted protests and suits from civil society and the opposition, who claimed it was favourable to the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition. – March 22, 2018.