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Gobind takes Dewan Rakyat
Speaker to court over suspension
by S. Tamarai Chelvi
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
KUALA LUMPUR: Puchong MP
Gobind Singh Deo (pix), yesterday
filed an originating summons seeking
declarations that his suspension as a
member of parliament on March 16
for 12 months is null, void and of no
effect.
Gobind, who is a lawyer, filed the
suit at noon in the High Court registry.
He also filed a certificate of urgency
for the suit to be heard immediately.
In the summons, Gobind named
the Dewan Rakyat Speaker, Minister
in the Prime Minister’s Department
Datuk Seri Mohamad Nazri Abdul
Aziz, secretary of Dewan Rakyat and
the government as the defendants.
He is seeking a declaration that
his “suspension as a MP by the first
defendant (the Speaker) pursuant to a
motion moved by the second defend-
ant (Nazri) on March 16, 2009, and
adopted by the Dewan Rakyat is null,
void and of no effect”.
Gobind also wants:
» a declaration that he is entitled
to remuneration and other benefits
constitutionally granted to him under
Article 64 of the Federal Constitution
pursuant to the Member of Parliament
(Remuneration) Act, 1980 (Act 237)
(During the suspension, Gobind is to be
deprived of all remuneration and privi-
leges as an MP);
» a declaration that his suspension
by the Dewan Rakyat is unconstitutional
in that it contravenes the equality pro-
visions of Article 8 (1) of the Federal
Constitution;
» a declaration that the proceedings
and decisions taken in the Dewan Rakyat
culminating in his suspension on March
16 are not immune from scrutiny by this
court;
» a declaration that a letter dated
March 18 under the hand of Dewan
Rakyat secretary is null, void and of no
effect. Alternatively, the orders adverted
to in the letter are unenforceable in law;
» an order that an account be taken
of all allowances, emoluments and other
benefits he is entitled to and that same be
theSun | FRIDAY APRIL 24 2009
Embrace democratic
outcomes, Jackson
advises Malaysia
by Terence Fernandez
terence@thesundaily.com
KUALA LUMPUR: While eco-
Rainbow/PUSH Coalition which
advances equality and civic
freedoms.
Jackson ran two presidential
nomic development is usually campaigns – though unsuc-
dependant on political stability, cessful – and opened doors and
in the new world order it also brought down prejudices which
means that economic growth many analysts say had enabled
and long-lasting peace cannot Barack Obama to become the
be realised if the basic tenets of first ethnic minority president of
human rights and democracy are the United States.
not respected. Jackson, however, was con-
American civil rights icon cerned that in spite of Malaysia’s
Rev Jesse Jackson (pix) said economic and social successes,
Malaysia has a lot of potential little is known about this nation.
as an economic superpower but “People know Vietnam
can go further if it because of the war,
continues to up- Singapore as a finan-
hold the principles cial capital, Japan of
of democracy. course, maybe even
“Part of what Thailand but Malaysia
makes Malaysia sits off the radar,” he
great is that it has a said.
stable democracy. In this regard, he
And the elections has invited Foreign
and peaceful transi- Minister Datuk Anifah
tion of power show Aman, as well as
that,” he said when several corporate
met in his hotel personalities, to a
here yesterday. business roundtable
Jackson, 67, was If this in Chicago in July.
leaving for Bangkok country “What a great op-
was beyond Standing Order 44 of the after a four-day lec- has portunity it would be
Standing Orders of the Dewan Rakyat ture tour organised to tell people about
paid to him forthwith; and and therefore not on the authority of by the Bridges- a stable Malaysia! I am so
» an order that the plaintiff be free to any valid or legal power. Dialogues Towards government glad to be invited here
attend forthcoming sittings of the Dewan Gobind said the proceedings in Par- a Culture of Peace, but at the same and to tell everyone
Rakyat without any hindrance or ob- liament were in contravention of Article an ambit of the time embraces about this piece of
struction at the instance of the Speaker. 8(1) of the Federal Constitution in that he International Peace sunshine,” he said.
He is also seeking for interest, costs was deprived of equality provision of the Foundation which
democracy and Jackson said his
and any other relief deemed fit by the law, having regard to the proceedings of organises dialogues democratic visit to several manu-
court. the Dewan Rakyat relating to the suspen- and lectures by outcomes this facturing plants was
In an affidavit filed together with the sion of Karpal Singh on Nov 22, 1984, for Nobel laureates as will be one of akin to witnessing
originating summons, Gobind said that his remarks relating to the conduct of well as those like the greatest the fruits of former
at the sitting of the Dewan Rakyat on Sultan of Johor, then the Yang di-Pertuan Jackson with the prime minister Tun Dr
March 16, Nazri moved a motion against Agong. potential of winning nations in the Mahathir Mohamad’s
him. Karpal was not deprived of his remu- the Nobel Prize. world.” focus on education.
He said the secretary informed him, neration, benefits and allowances under Former deputy “From a largely ag-
through a letter dated March 18, of his MP (Remuneration) Act. prime minister Tun Musa Hitam is ricultural community to now
disentitlement to all allowances and ben- “Clearly, having regard to this posi- Malaysian chairman of Bridges. microchips and laptops, this is
efits as an MP following his suspension. tion, I have been deprived of the equality “You can have economic one of the great countries in the
“I respectfully state (that) I was de- provision of Article 8(1) of the Constitu- development if you have political world,” he said.
prived by the Speaker of the opportunity tion,” said Gobind. stability but if this country has a Jackson said he is confident
to rebut the allegations set forth against “On this score, the proceedings stable government but at the that Prime Minister Datuk Seri
me in the motion moved by Nazri in the against me in the Dewan Rakyat stand same time embraces democ- Najib Abdul Razak will continue
Dewan Rakyat on March 16, in contra- unconstitutional.” racy and democratic outcomes, with the right policies of pursu-
vention of the rules of natural justice,” He also said the court had the jurisdic- this will be one of the greatest ing economic growth and at the
he said in his affidavit. tion to scrutinise the proceedings relating nations in the world,” said the same time preserving democratic
He said the action taken against him to his suspension in the Dewan Rakyat. founder and president of the principles.