Kit Siang calls for inquiry into allegations against DPM
Friday, October 17, 2008
The Edge Daily (16/10/08): A parliamentary committee of inquiry should be set up to investigate allegations that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is implicated in the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case, said DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang (Ipoh Timur).
The DAP chief whip told the Dewan Rakyat that an inquiry into the allegations was vital, as the exchange of SMSes said to be between Najib and lawyer Datuk Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, as well as the statutory declaration by private investigator P Balasubramaniam, seemed to implicate Najib.
Reading an excerpt from a website purportedly showing the exchange of SMSes between Najib and Shafee, who was then Razak Baginda's lawyer, Lim said it was of paramount importance that Najib be cleared of any involvement in the murder case or abuse of power before he took over the reins of power.
"There is no point for (Datuk Seri) Abdullah (Ahmad Badawi) to say that Najib is a good person. We do not want the personal belief of the prime minister but a full investigation on his deputy," said Lim, drawing cheers from the opposition bench.
He also criticised the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA) on five Hindraf leaders, blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng.
The implementation of the long-awaited Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) was also not carried out as promised, said Lim.
Calling the BN undemocratic, Lim said its MPs failed to seek answers on allegations against the deputy premier, who would be dogged by controversy when representing Malaysia at international summits.
Datuk Ismail Kasim (Arau-BN) interjected, asking Lim to explain whether a takeover of the federal government through defections was democratic.
When Lim continued to debate, Datuk Baharum Mohamed (Sekijang-BN) raised Standing Order 36(6) and told the Speaker that Lim tried to smear the image of parliamentarians.
The Speaker allowed Lim to continue but reminded him to wind up his debate by 12.30pm, an hour from the time he took the floor.
Lim then accused Umno of being corrupt. Some Umno division chiefs spent RM1 million each to get elected in the previous party elections, he said, citing a former Umno MP.
He said it was understood that money politics in Umno was rampant and according to a news report, division chiefs now spend between RM2 million and RM3 million to secure their position.
"The price of oil can go down but the price of money politics doesn't," he said, asking how much an Umno vice-president aspirant would have to spend to get elected.
This led to Baharum and Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (Bintulu-BN) exchanging words with Lim and asking him to shut up. Datuk Bung Moktar Radin (Kinabatangan-BN) joined in the fray in defence of his colleagues.
A shouting match ensued as N Gobalakrishan (Padang Serai-PKR), who was seen at the cafeteria moments earlier, rushed into the House to bolster the opposition front.
Calm was restored only after a few minutes, and some BN MPs who were visibly upset at Lim's remarks and accusations left the House.
The DAP chief whip told the Dewan Rakyat that an inquiry into the allegations was vital, as the exchange of SMSes said to be between Najib and lawyer Datuk Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, as well as the statutory declaration by private investigator P Balasubramaniam, seemed to implicate Najib.
Reading an excerpt from a website purportedly showing the exchange of SMSes between Najib and Shafee, who was then Razak Baginda's lawyer, Lim said it was of paramount importance that Najib be cleared of any involvement in the murder case or abuse of power before he took over the reins of power.
"There is no point for (Datuk Seri) Abdullah (Ahmad Badawi) to say that Najib is a good person. We do not want the personal belief of the prime minister but a full investigation on his deputy," said Lim, drawing cheers from the opposition bench.
He also criticised the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA) on five Hindraf leaders, blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng.
The implementation of the long-awaited Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) was also not carried out as promised, said Lim.
Calling the BN undemocratic, Lim said its MPs failed to seek answers on allegations against the deputy premier, who would be dogged by controversy when representing Malaysia at international summits.
Datuk Ismail Kasim (Arau-BN) interjected, asking Lim to explain whether a takeover of the federal government through defections was democratic.
When Lim continued to debate, Datuk Baharum Mohamed (Sekijang-BN) raised Standing Order 36(6) and told the Speaker that Lim tried to smear the image of parliamentarians.
The Speaker allowed Lim to continue but reminded him to wind up his debate by 12.30pm, an hour from the time he took the floor.
Lim then accused Umno of being corrupt. Some Umno division chiefs spent RM1 million each to get elected in the previous party elections, he said, citing a former Umno MP.
He said it was understood that money politics in Umno was rampant and according to a news report, division chiefs now spend between RM2 million and RM3 million to secure their position.
"The price of oil can go down but the price of money politics doesn't," he said, asking how much an Umno vice-president aspirant would have to spend to get elected.
This led to Baharum and Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (Bintulu-BN) exchanging words with Lim and asking him to shut up. Datuk Bung Moktar Radin (Kinabatangan-BN) joined in the fray in defence of his colleagues.
A shouting match ensued as N Gobalakrishan (Padang Serai-PKR), who was seen at the cafeteria moments earlier, rushed into the House to bolster the opposition front.
Calm was restored only after a few minutes, and some BN MPs who were visibly upset at Lim's remarks and accusations left the House.
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