Sivakumar speaks to reporters after the state assembly’s Rights and Privileges Committee decided to suspend Zambry and his six exco members.IPOH: Perak Speaker V. Sivakumar has barred Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abd Kadir from from attending all State Assembly sittings for 18 months
Dr Zambry's six exco members have been barred for 12 months, Sivakumar said on Wednesday.
Sivakumar, in a statement, said the seven had failed to give any explanation during Wednesday’s inquiry into a complaint that they had shown contempt for the House.
“Dr Zambry and the six exco members have failed and did not give any explanation to the committee.
“They failed to offer any explanation on their actions of contempt for the House and hence have been found guilty as charged,” it said.
“I (Sivakumar) have decided that Dr Zambry is, with immediate effect, suspended and barred from attending State Assembly sessions for 18 months while the six exco members are barred for 12 months,” the statement added.
The drama unfolded at 2.55pm when the seven appeared for the inquiry before the state’s Committee of Special Privileges, chaired by Sivakumar, at the State Secretariat.
During the meeting however, the sole Barisan Nasional representative in the seven-member committee, Datuk Hasbullah Osman, was absent.
It is learnt that efforts by the other Pakatan Rakyat committee members to contact the latter were futile.
A cheerful Dr Zambry and his six-member exco panel entered the meeting room for about 30 minutes and exited later without speaking to the press.
“I was summoned yesterday and I am here again today,” Dr Zambry joked to reporters as he entered.
On Tuesday, Dr Zambry and two reporters were summoned before the committee to give statements on the former’s statement in newspapers on Sivakumar’s conduct.
An exco member later revealed that the inquiry had gone on smoothly and without the exchange of heated arguments.
“Dr Zambry made his objection to the committee. There was no question and answer session.
“It was cordial and professional. After all, we are all grown-ups,” said the exco member.
Canning assemblyman Wong Kah Woh, who was the complainant in the matter, told pressmen that he had presented his case before the committee.
“I presented my complaint that Dr Zambry and his six ‘false’ excos had shown contempt for the House when they were sworn into the Assembly via unconstitutional means,” he said.
After Dr Zambry and his excos left, the committee convened its closed-door meeting until 5.05pm before Sivakumar left for his office.
At about 6.20pm, an aide distributed a press statement signed by Sivakumar, announcing that Dr Zambry and his exco members had been barred from the assembly.
The exco members are Dr Mah Hang Soon (Chenderiang), Datuk Ramly Zahari (Manong), Zainol Fadzi Paharuddin (Sungai Manik), Mohd Zahir Abdul Khalid (Kamunting), Hamidah Osman (Sungai Rapat), Datuk Saarani Mohamad (Kota Tampan).
After the statement was distributed, Sivakumar rushed away from reporters who chased after him for further details.
When pressed whether the Speaker had such powers to bar assemblymen without first bringing the matter to the House, Sivakumar said:
“I will notify the House.” He later left without another word.
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