Questions on 1MDB rejected due to subjudice, says Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker

Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Ismail Mohamed Said today cited the factor of subjudice for the rejection of oral questions on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

He said the decision to reject the questions was made by Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia and that it was final according to the Standing Orders.

"Please refer to Standing Orders 99, if you are unhappy with the decision of the Honourable Speaker. The decision of the Speaker is final. If you are unhappy, you can table a Private Member's motion," he told the Dewan Rakyat.

There was a heated moment during Question Time when several MPs questioned the decision of the Speaker to reject their questions on 1MDB.

One of the MPs, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR-Permatang Pauh) questioned the rejection of her question on whether the government was prepared to table a White Paper to explain foreign interference in 1MDB.

Datuk Fauzi Abdul Rahman (PKR-Indera Mahkota) also expressed dissatisfaction over the rejection of his question on the government move to clear its name in the wake of the statements issued by the United States Department of Justice because the question was merely a supposition.

Datuk Seri Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) said not only were questions from the opposition MPs rejected but also his, on why Penang Chief Minister and Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng could buy a house at below market price.

"My question was also rejected but I realised that the decision of the Speaker is final. I remained silent. I abided by the rules," he said.

-- BERNAMA