malaysia

Unethical to say Putrajaya prepared Agong’s speech, says Speaker

BY ANISAH SHUKRY
March 09, 2016

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia says it is already known that the government would prepare the Agong's speech, but such things were better left unsaid. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, March 9, 2016.It is unethical for a parliamentarians to raise the fact that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's speech in Parliament on Monday was prepared by the government, says Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia.

Pandikar said such things were better left unsaid, as it was already known and bringing it up would affect public perception.

"In Malaysia, the Agong's opening address every year is his own decree, but it is prepared by the government. But that government is his government.

"When you as an MP raise this up, what will the people's perception be? What is he trying to do? Is he trying to be clever or insulting the public's intelligence?

"Is he saying that the Agong is lying? You can make all kinds of speculation," Pandikar told a press conference in Parliament today.

He was responding to Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang's statement on Monday, that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah was merely reading out a speech prepared by the government.

The DAP parliamentary leader had said this when asked to comment on the Agong's opening address, which included a call for all lawmakers to stop politicking.

However, Pandikar said today Lim had not breached any parliamentary standing orders in making such a statement.

"He only acted unethically, as an MP he did not have to say that," said Pandikar.

Yesterday, police reports were lodged against Lim, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and Malaysiakini for the article "Kerajaan sediakan titah Agung" (Agong's speech prepared by government, says Kit Siang). – March 9, 2016.