A rights group today submitted a memorandum on the problems faced by low-income earners to parliamentarians but was told by security officers to leave the Parliament lobby shortly after handing over the document.

According to a Parliament official, the 13-member Marginalised People's Network (Jerit) delegation, led by co-ordinator D Sevan, were told to vacate the premises because the lobby is meant for 'MPs only'.

When approached by reporters for comment, Sevan was told not to make statements in the vicinity of the Parliament.

Backbenchers Club secretary Rosli Mat Hasan (BN-Dungun), who received the memorandum, denied that he had asked the group to leave.

"I was the one who invited them into the lobby. Initially they were very shy to come in," he said when asked.

"I don't know why they were not allowed to talk with reporters. Maybe this is the policy of the Parliament for security purpose," he said, adding that the group had made a prior appointment.

Study the recommendations

As to the memorandum, Rosli said Barisan Nasional MPs will study it and raise some of the issues in an upcoming meeting with the Prime Minister's Department and the economic planning unit regarding the 9th Malaysian plan.

"The issues in this memorandum will only consist a small portion of our proposals to the government," he told reporters.

The copy for the opposition was received by DAP vice-president Dr Tan Seng Giaw, who is also the MP for Kepong.

The memorandum, endorsed by over 130 organisations, contained recommendations by Jerit to alleviate the suffering of the lower-income group.

Last month, Jerit submitted the memorandum to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.