LIKE the 7 May 2009 sitting, proceedings in the Perak legislative assembly today, 28 Oct 2009, were again a showcase of unparliamentary behaviour and the state of political affairs at their worst. The Pakatan Rakyat (PR)’s challenging of the forced seizure of its state government in February 2009 through defections and desertions is still morally […]
Sivakumar
Trusting the police
EARLIER this week, while I was in the office alone in the morning, two uniformed police officers appeared outside our glass office door. One peered in. I looked up and smiled but my fingers were ready to sign in to Twitter if the police rang the doorbell. The officer who was peering in smiled back, […]
Police report against embattled speaker Sivakumar
IPOH, 28 July 2009: Four Barisan Nasional (BN) state assemblypersons today lodged police reports against embattled Perak state assembly speaker V Sivakumar for using the official letterhead of the Perak speaker. Perak BN Backbenchers Club chairperson Datuk Nadzri Ismail said what Sivakumar did was a serious criminal offence. “They have ignored the civilised process and […]
Court to hear Sivakumar’s suit against Ganesan on 17 July
Sivakumar (left) and Ganesan IPOH, 17 June 2009: The High Court here has fixed 17 July to hear the suit by former Perak State Legislative Assembly Speaker V Sivakumar against the Barisan Nasional (BN)’s Speaker Datuk R Ganesan. Sivakumar’s lead counsel Chan Kok Keong told reporters at the courthouse today that the case was […]
Invoke Judges’ Code of Ethics
JUSTICE is becoming a rare commodity in our courts when judges of questionable ability sit in judgment. This situation raises serious concerns regarding the appointment of judges and their elevation to the bench. In the recent cases involving the Perak crisis we wonder whether the Federal Court judges and the Court of Appeal judges who […]
“Speaker Sivakumar not lawfully removed”
SivakumarI AM asked to advise V Sivakumar, the speaker of the legislative assembly of the state of Perak, on the constitutionality of his purported removal on 7 May 2009. It is common ground that the legislative assembly was summoned that day by His Royal Highness, the sultan of Perak (HRH) pursuant to Article 36(1) of […]
Court of Appeal grants stay to Zambry (Updated)
Updated 7.54pm, 12 May 2009 PUTRAJAYA, 12 May 2009: The Court of Appeal today granted Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir a stay of execution on the High Court’s decision declaring his opponent, Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, as the legitimate Perak menteri besar. Zambry As such, Zambry remains the Perak MB until the court […]
Might is not always right
THE Perak legislative assembly sitting on 7 May was the final act in the power grab by Barisan Nasional (BN). Three months after wresting the Perak government from the Pakatan Rakyat (PR), the BN yesterday finally grabbed the all-important speaker’s chair as the sitting descended into chaos. ZambryNow, instead of having two contentious state governments […]
Perak speaker may ask for postponement
PETALING JAYA, 28 April 2009: Perak speaker V Sivakumar may write to the Sultan of Perak requesting a postponement of the state legislative assembly sitting on 7 May following the Federal Court’s ruling today to let the High Court decide on the rightful Perak menteri besar. Perak DAP chairperson and Sitiawan assemblyperson Datuk Ngeh Khoo […]
Perak speaker can’t represent himself, court rules
IPOH, 11 March 2009: The High Court ruled here today that Perak State Assembly Speaker V Sivakumar cannot represent himself in the suit by three independent assemblypersons. Judicial Commissioner Ridwan Ibrahim made the decision in chambers based on Section 24(3) of the Government Proceedings Act after counsel for the assemblypersons objected to the speaker’s application […]
