No power to stop Arul Kanda from debating - Pandikar

Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia said he has no power to stop 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) president and group executive director Arul Kanda Kandasamy from debating about the company.

“As the Dewan Rakyat speaker, I don’t have power to instruct an individual outside the Parliament,” he said today replying to Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua whether or not other MPs can debate with Arul Kanda.

On the 1MDB debate, Pandikar said he had never stopped it from happening but only said that it should be held after the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) concludes its probe into the company's financial affairs.

"I did not oppose the debate, I just said wait until the PAC report is done," he said.

Yesterday, Pandikar said the debate on 1MDB can only proceed if Pua steps down as a member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

In addition, he said Arul Kanda cannot appear as a witness before the PAC in its probe into 1MDB if he wants to debate Pua.

"This is necessary to maIntain the transparency of investigation and proceedings conducted by PAC involving 1MDB in line with the rules of the Dewan Rakyat.

"An open debate can adversely affect the PAC investigation proceeding on 1MDB and lead rise to public prejudice on the credibility of the parties involved in the investigation," he said during the Dewan Rakyat sitting on Tuesday.