He's got it all wrong, says Teng

There is a difference between the one-year suspensions of parliamentarian Gobind Singh Deo and Selangor opposition leader Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, the state legislative assembly speaker pointed out today.

At a press conference, Speaker Teng Chang Khim rebutted the former menteri besar's claim that the speaker had no authority to take part in any proceedings to punish any state legislator.

Earlier, Khir has pointed out that Parliament Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia last March did not take any part in the decision to suspend Gobind, who is also the Puchong DAP MP.

Teng (right), however, had a different take on the matter, saying Gobind's case was completely different. Gobind claimed Prime Minister Najib Razak was a "murderer" and he was ordered out of the House.

"Then the following day, (minister in the prime minister's department) Nazri (Abdul Aziz) brought up a motion and suspended him without referring him to the rights and privileges committee," he said.

Two different scenarios

The motion to suspend Gobind (below), added Teng, was brought up by the government, "that is why the speaker had no say in it".

"It is a motion from the government, supported by a (government) member, put to a debate, and it was passed. These are two different scenarios (here)," said Teng.

Meanwhile, in Khir's case, he was referred to the rights and privileges committee instead of a motion being table in the House, explained Teng.

"And during the committee inquiry, he (Khir) was even represented by seven lawyers (and refused to defend himself). So what can the committee do?" he asked.

The Selangor state legislative assembly had today passed a motion to suspend Mohd Khir for one year with immediate effect.

The decision was taken after he failed to attend an inquiry in March into use of Balkis funds, and for criticising the Selangor Select Committee on Competence, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) in his blog.

I acted within my powers

Khir had also previously accused Teng of acting as the "complainer, investigator and the judge" in the inquiry.

But Teng said that he had acted within his powers as provided for in the Standing Orders for Parliament and state assemblies.

"The Speaker is the chairman of the rights and privileges committee, and we follow that (rule). Other commonwealth jurisdiction also states that the speaker is usually the chairman of such committee.

"It may be new to him. When I talked about the precinct of the House (yesterday), I was relying on something that has been in the Standing Orders for 50 years," he said.

When asked on Khir's possible legal action against him, Teng was unperturbed, saying that he acted within his power as stated in the constitution.