Former Selangor menteri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has filed a suit against the chairperson of the state's Competency, Accountability and Transparency committee (Selcat) and state assembly speaker Teng Chang Khim and two others over his suspension from attending state assembly sittings.

khir toyo pc on khir toyo mansion 060709The opposition leader and Sungai Panjang assemblyperson filed the suit through his lawyer MM Athimulan at the High Court registrar's office here on Monday (Oct 12).

He also named the state assembly's secretary and the government of Selangor as defendants.

At a press conference held here today, Athimulan said among others, the plaintiff was seeking to nullify the decision of Selcat on May 19 recommending that he be suspended a year from attending state assembly sittings and forfeit his salary and allowances during the period of suspension.

He said Khir also wanted the state assembly's decision on July 15 to uphold the recommendation to be declared null and void.

Athimulan added that the plaintiff also wanted the court to declare that the Contempt of the State Assembly Enactment 2009 passed by the Selangor state assembly was unlawful as it was ultra vires the constitution.

"Khir is also seeking a declaration that Teng's role as both 'prosecutor and judge' in Selcat amounted to conflict of interest and as such its decisions should be voided," he said.

Seeking back wages and other relief


Khir is also seeking back wages and other relief deemed fit by the court and that he be allowed to attend state assembly sittings without any hindrance.

On July 15, Selangor deputy speaker Haniza Mohd Talha announced the punishments (suspension and forfeiture of salary and allowances) against Khir for failing to attend Selcat hearings in March over matters concerning Balkis, the charity organisation of the wives of Selangor elected representatives and for allegedly hurling insults against Selcat in the media.

Besides Khir, four Barisan Nasional assemblypersons, Warno Dogol (Sabak Bernam), Mohd Idris Abu Bakar (Hulu Bernam), Mohd Isa Abu Kasim (Batang Kali) and Marsum Paing (Dengkil) were also handed six months suspensions each for allegedly insulting Selcat in the media.

Khir, who was also present, said the four would also be filing separate suits over their suspension.- Bernama