Parti Keadilan Rakyat's (PKR) sole elected representative Dominique Ng was today let off the hook with a warning that "a repeated offence could be met with severe consequences" after breaching rules on privileges and immunities in the state legislative assembly.

The Padungan rep this morning offered his 'unqualified, unequivocal and sincere apologies' to Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu and state Assistant Agriculture Minister Peter Nyarok over an incident on Monday afternoon when he (Ng) tried to serve process documents relating to election petitions on the duo within the premises of the state assembly building.

Jabu lodged a formal complaint against Ng's conduct to the speaker and Nyarok also complained.

According to Ng, process servers had been trying in vain for days to serve the documents on the duo. He told malaysiakini today that local newspapers were reluctant to publish the notices as alternative service relating to the election papers.

"Unless the papers are served on the two individuals by tomorrow, it will be out of time," he added.

The speaker in his communication this morning told the assembly he had received a written explanation from Ng who said on Monday said he did invite Jabu to accept court documents or process from his staff in the assembly or within its precincts.

Apology must be unqualified

"This means there was clear intention on Ng's part to serve on Jabu court documents relating to an election petition matter," he said.

The speaker added that his conclusion based on the letter was that there had been a breach of Section 7 of the Privileges, Immunities and Powers Ordinance.

He quoted Ng as saying in his letter that "if what he (Ng) did was wrong he would apologise to the house and to the member concerned."

To uphold the provisions of the ordinance and privileges and immunities conferred therein, he felt that the apology must be unqualified to be accepted by the assembly.

Ng, who arrived at 10 am today said he had been told in and outside the chamber something had been said by the speaker which required his reply.

Speaker: Jabu deliberated on the details of the incident. He is not satisfied with the qualified apology. He is prepared and together with Nyarok are prepared to accept an unqualified, unequivocal and sincere apology. If you are prepared to give such apoligies and they are prepared to acccept, that will be the end of the matter.

Ng said he agreed that a member should not be stopped from doing his work but at the same time he should not use immunity as a shield to prevent them from being served with properly-issued court petitions.

He hoped Jabu and Nyarok would in due course after the assembly sitting allowed themselves to be served so that the process of court may continue at the appropriate place to be arranged.

'I am prepared to do so'

When Ng wanted to continue, the speaker interjected, asking: "That means you are using this chamber as a forum to enhance and in furtherance of service."

Ng: No,no,no, Datuk Speaker. I am saying I respect the law. I respect their rights of immunity in this chamber. But I believe the law should not be used as a shelter to prevent them facing what they should face outside.

The speaker then asked Ng whether he was prepared to offer an unqualified, unequivocal and sincere apology.

Ng: Yes, I am prepared (to do so). I am offering my unqualified, unequivocal and sincere apology.

The speaker then asked Jabu and Nyarok whether they were prepared to accept such apologies.

Both Jabu and Nyarok accepted Ng's apologies to the applause of the assembly.

But in doing so Jabu told Ng not to make it a habit .

Ng thanked the Jabu and Nyarok for their graciousness and statemanship.

The speaker said he was letting Ng off with a warning that any further breach could be met with severe consequences.