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Khir: Suspension politically motivated, element of revenge

By Yong Min Wei

SHAH ALAM, 20 May 2009: Former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo claimed his one-year suspension from the state legislative assembly following the decision by the state’s Rights and Privileges Committee was politically motivated and contained an element of revenge on the part of Speaker Teng Chang Khim.

Khir said the suspension meted out by the committee on him and four Barisan Nasional (BN) state assemblypersons was harsh and inconsistent with the state government’s practise of freedom of speech and freedom of information.
 
He said Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim’s administration was trying to silence any form of dissent and criticism in the state assembly, adding that the suspension on him and four assemblypersons would hamper checks and balances of the state government.
 
“This (punishment) is more cruel than the ISA,” he told a press conference today flanked by assemblypersons Datuk Warno Dogol (Sabak), Mohd Isa Abu Kasim (Batang Kali) and Datuk Marsum Paing (Dengkil). The fourth assemblyperson Datuk Mohamed Idris Abu Bakar (Hulu Bernam) is currently overseas.
 
The Rights and Privileges Committee yesterday announced a one-year suspension on Khir following his failure to attend the Select Committee for Competency, Accountability and Transparency’s (Selcat) public hearing of the now defunct Wives of Selangor Barisan Nasional Parliamentarians and State Assemblymen Welfare Organisation (Balkis).

Read more here.

This article first appeared on Wednesday, 20 May 2009 in www.theedgemalaysia.com under the same title. Used with permission.

 

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Comments

  1. Eric says

    Now playing the martyr card. You have to admire Khir for his acting talents, always full of resources for himself at the expense of law and order.

    Lucky for us we do not have to foot his first-class air tickets, Disneyland bills any more.

  2. mike says

    Since he feels that the punishment is harsher then ISA then he should volunteer to go into ISA. I think would make the people of Selangor and all Malaysians very happy.

    PR is not BN and it does not avenge anyone. BN is the one who believes in avenging and bullying everyone with the police as their goons.

    Dr Khir, remember the old saying ‘what goes around comes around.’ Well yours by God’s grace is coming around soon.