KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition member of parliament Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan will be referred to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee.
This comes after allegations made by Wan Saiful (PN-Tasek Gelugor) during the Dewan Rakyat sessions on Feb 28 and March 21, where he alleged that the court case against him could be annulled and dropped if he declared his support for the unity government.
The motion to refer the Bersatu member to the committee was tabled by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and was approved by a bloc vote, supported by the government bloc, which was questioned by the opposition.
The Dewan Rakyat descended into chaos soon after Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) questioned the ruling made by Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, describing it as "subjudice".
The opposition also walked out of the Dewan Rakyat in protest shortly before the lower house went on a lunch break.
Wan Saiful, during a press conference held by the opposition, said the motion tabled in the Dewan Rakyat earlier was defective.
"It was not supposed to be tabled at all."
He also expressed his frustration when the materials for his complaint were used as evidence to investigate him instead.
"My initial plan was for the evidence to be brought to a committee to be formed under Standing Order 80A to be investigated.
"Unfortunately, the materials were used as evidence to investigate me instead."
During the press conference, Wan Saiful also said that he had lost confidence in the integrity of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
"Some people suggested that I should lodge a complaint with the MACC. But, the fact that this happened to me (in the Dewan Rakyat), can you imagine what would happen if I had lodged a complaint with the MACC.
"Frankly speaking, I must say I have no confidence in the integrity of the MACC institution. Previously, under the leadership of Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed, many improvements were made.
"Now under Tan Sri Azam Baki, we can set aside expectations. The promised reforms have not materialised at all and I have no confidence in the integrity of the MACC."
Meanwhile, Perikatan Nasional (PN) chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said the opposition was mulling to take similar action against Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
"We will study the matter. In terms of the rules, the speaker is also a member of the House and any member of the House can be referred to the Rights and Privileges Committee.
"We will study (the possibility) first," he said.
Takiyuddin was responding to a question about whether the opposition would refer the speaker to the committee.