BN MPs protest after ex-ally says sultan's remarks off-limits

PARLIAMENT | BN lawmakers were up in arms after a former ally told them that they could not raise statements made by Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar in the Dewan Rakyat.

Ahmad Maslan (BN-Pontian) had asked Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah to address the Johor ruler's criticism of the government's decision to ratify the Rome Statute and the claim that it was unconstitutional.

"The Johor sultan's speech was read out by 10 district officers... it stated that the Rome Statute violated the Federal Constitution. 

"Can we withdraw (from the statute) if it has indeed violated the constitution?" he asked.

However, Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (GPS-Santubong) – once the deputy speaker under the previous BN-controlled Dewan Rakyat – cited Standing Order 36(7), which states that MPs cannot use a ruler's name to influence the House.

The order states: "The name of the Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, or any of the Rulers, or of any of Their Excellencies the Yang di-Pertua-Yang di-Pertua Negeri shall not be used to influence the House."

Saifuddin, who acknowledged Wan Junaidi's (above) experience and his books on parliamentary affairs, then asked Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Mohd Rashid Hasnon to provide guidance.

'People are confused'

However, BN parliamentarians protested and insisted that Saifuddin must address the criticism.

"It must be addressed because the people are confused," said Azalina Othman (BN-Pengerang).

"If we cannot ask (about this issue) in this august House, then what is the point of us becoming elected representatives? What is the point of us coming here?" 

Backing her up, Shahidan Kassim (BN-Arau) said they were not touching on a ruler's character, but merely on his statement.

"It is a good statement and we are discussing his statement. It should be addressed," he said.

However, Wan Junaidi said the issue of a ruler's character raised by the Arau MP was under Standing Order 36(8), but the standing order he referred to was specific to using a ruler to influence the House.

Rashid finally concurred with Wan Junaidi's position and asked that Saifuddin take it into account.

Saifuddin then proceeded to address the criticism surrounding the Rome Statute, but without touching specifically on the Johor ruler's statement.

The Rome Statute governs the International Criminal Court (ICC) which conducts trials related to genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression.

In his explanation, Saifuddin reiterated the issue was not among the items that require consent from the Conference of Rulers under the Federal Constitution.

He added that the government was confident that rulers and leaders in the country would not commit genocide and other similar international crimes.

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