Gobind booted out over poser on palace 'ambush'

Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong) was booted out of the Dewan Rakyat today for demanding the reasons behind a dramatic operation by police and the Special Action Unit in detaining Kelantan prince Tengku Muhd Fakhry Petra in May.

The prince had been detained for a night along with several of the bodyguards of then-ruler Sultan Tuanku Ismail Petra and two doctors, minutes after leaving the palace in Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu, Kelantan.

Tengku Fakhry was in a convoy of cars accompanying the sultan and his consort Tengku Anis Tengku Abdul Hamid, for further treatment at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore.

As Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein was winding up on the Supply Bill 2011 today, Gobind (right) asked if any investigation had been carried out on police action at the time.

Hishammuddin declined to answer the question as the issue had not been raised during debate.

Although speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia warned Gobind repeatedly to back off and allow the minister to continue, the latter refused.

“I just asked if there was any investigation... why is it so difficult for the minister to answer?” asked Gobind.

Pandikar then said: “Everyone has a responsibility. It’s the MPs’ responsibility to ask questions (when a matter) needs explanation and it’s the minister’s responsibility to answer, and it is my responsibility to keep order and to allow debate according to the Standing Orders.”

He pointed out that the issue raised by Gobind had deviated from the questions raised during the Supply Bill 2011 debate and noted that, under Section 37 of Standing Orders, the minister does not have to entertain the matter.

Gobind was then asked to leave the House until the sitting resumed after lunch. However, he went on arguing with Pandikar, leading to his suspension for the rest of the day’s proceedings.

This is not the first time Gobind has been kicked out of the House. In March last year, he was suspended without any allowances and benefits following an outburst against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

He had linked Najib with the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu, called him a "murderer" in the process. Najib has consistently denied any involvement in the incident.