WHEN Barisan Nasional was in power, the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal could not be debated freely in Dewan Rakyat.

Questions by MPs from the former Pakatan Harapan (PH) opposition were rejected and barred by then speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia in previous sittings.

Pandikar’s reasoning then was that it could amount to sub judice and affect court cases as the US Department of Justice (DoJ) had filed civil forfeiture suits in relation to the 1MDB scandal.

Now, with a different government in power, the 1MDB issue is being raised repeatedly by some PH backbenchers in the current Dewan Rakyat sitting.

This afternoon, opposition backbencher Ismail Mohamed Said (BN-Kuala Krau) sought a ruling from Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof on whether 1MDB could be discussed during debates.

He also cited Standing Order 36 (2) which states that MPs shall not make reference “to any matter which is sub judice in such a way as might in the opinion of the chair prejudice the interests of parties thereto”.

“Does this standing order apply to the courts, local and international?”

Former prime minister Najib Razak (BN-Pekan) is facing charges of criminal breach of trust and power abuse in court.

He allegedly used his official position to receive a RM42 million bribe to provide a sovereign guarantee on behalf of the Malaysian government for a RM4 billion loan from the Retirement Fund Inc (KWAP) to SRC International Sdn Bhd.

SRC International was a subsidiary of 1MDB, his brainchild. Billions were said to had been siphoned out of 1MDB for the enrichment of some individuals.

Ismail also asked the speaker to decide if the interim gag order secured by Najib’s lawyers from the Kuala Lumpur High Court to prevent the digital and print media from discussing the merits of the case also extended to the Dewan Rakyat.

“Does it include discussions on 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion (deposited into Najib’s personal bank accounts)?” he asked.

Ariff said he would make a ruling on the three matters raised by Ismail soonest possible.

When deputy speaker Nga Kor Ming took over, Ismail tried to get the House to stop MPs from bringing up 1MDB during the debates until Ariff announced his ruling.

“The House is a place to raise issues for discussion. I will allow them until there is a new ruling,” Nga replied. – July 25, 2018.