Selangor speaker defines 'dewan'

Will combative Sekinchan assemblyperson Ng Suee Lim be served another legal letter by Selangor opposition leader Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, now that the word ‘Dewan’ has been defined by the speaker?

By speaker Teng Chang Khim’s (right) definition, ‘Dewan’ refers to the full area within the perimeter fencing around the state legislative assembly building.

As such, the prohibition on “serving or executing civil or criminal processes” extends beyond the assembly hall.

Teng made the declaration after Yap Ee Hwa (MCA-Sungai Pelek) demanded a clarification this morning.

“Once the assemblypersons enter the main gate, they are already in the vicinity of the assembly and they will be protected,” he said, while acknowledging that the word is not specifically defined.

“But it is common sense. A state assemblyperson would know that the state assembly and its compound make up their workplace.”

Yesterday, Dr Mohd Khir Toyo (BN-Sungai Panjang) had argued that an assemblyperson only enjoys immunity from legal action while inside the assembly hall.

Last week, Mohd Khir’s representative had delivered a legal summons to Ng at the car park of the state assembly building.

This was in relation to Ng’s allegation that Mohd Khir owns a Balinese-theme mansion worth RM24 million in Section 7, Shah Alam. The latter has disputed the figure and explained that the house is being financed through a bank loan.

Yesterday, Mohd Khir was ejected from the House for the day, after an argument, during which he accused the speaker of bias.

‘Not even by third party’

Teng explained today that the car park is deemed part of the assembly complex because it is a facility provided to assembly representatives for the performance of their duties.

“The parking lots are located in the compound. All the YBs who park their cars here are not heading to a night market to do their shopping, but to attend the assembly,” he said.

He also handed over a copy of a book on parliamentary practice, written by Thomas Erskine May, urging all assemblypersons to refer to it, as “it is the bible for parliamentary and assembly rulings”.

Referring to the book, he said all assemblypersons have the right to speak freely and cannot be summoned to court within the assembly building or chamber.

He said a legal summons cannot be served even by a third party because this would be tantamount to contempt of the House.

“This is because we do not want to cause fear to assemblypersons in the performance of their tasks,” he said.

Met later, Mohd Khir said he is not satisfied with the definition as it "contradicts" Article 57 under the state constitution, which defines Dewan as "the assembly sitting that takes place in the hall".

"Even if it (the assembly sitting) is held under a tree, it would still be considered an assembly sitting...but now the definition has been abused," he said.

"Under Article 57, it is clearly stated that the assembly hall is where the assembly sittings take place. That is all (it says)."

He added that he will need to review the definition.