Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang is determined not to let the Approved Permits (AP) scandal or International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz off the hook.

In view of this, he wants Dewan Rakyat Speaker Ramli Ngah Talib to give precedence to a privilege motion to refer Rafidah to the Committee of Privileges for a 'selective, incomplete, misleading and mischievous' written reply on the AP issue so that it can be debated on Monday.

Yesterday, his motion was disallowed by the speaker on a technical ground. Following this, Lim said he was approached by several Umno MPs and those from Sabah and Sarawak, who expressed support for him.

"Some of them passionately contended that Rafidah had committed a grave breach of privilege in trying to arm twist and silence MPs from speaking up on the scandal," he added in a statement.

Although an ordinary motion under Standing Order 27 (3) requires not less than 14 days notice, Lim called on the speaker to give priority to the privilege motion against Rafidah and allow it to be debated on Monday.

He said it is within the speaker's powers in accordance with established Commonwealth parliamentary practices and conventions to accord precedence to urgent privilege motions to protect the dignity and public standing of Parliament.

History of sorts

Lim also noted that the issue has created a history of sorts.

"History of sorts was made when one cabinet minister publicly berated another for gross parliamentary dereliction of duty," he said.

He said this in reference to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Aziz going on record yesterday to express the 'displeasure' and 'anger' of most Barisan Nasional MPs with Rafidah .

"If Rafidah does not come to Parliament on Monday to submit herself to parliamentary scrutiny, then she may not need to come to Parliament anymore as she would no longer be welcomed by MPs, whether BN or opposition," added Lim.

Rafidah is currently on a working visit abroad.