SHAH ASHAH ALAM, Aug 19 — The Selangor Assembly wants the state government to restudy and present a written reply to the assemblymen on the Darul Ehsan Investment Group (DEIG) mooted by Mentri Besar Azmin Ali.

The state lawmaking house unanimously voted for the report on DEIG asking Azmin to present a written reply on the risk management firm to the assembly by November.

The decision was reached following a motion on a report prepared by the state’s select committee on government agencies, statutory bodies and state government subsidiary companies chaired by Hulu Kelang assemblyman Shaari Sungib.

“What you can see today is a good display of check and balance. This is not a rubber stamp institution, this is what state assemblies and even parliament are supposed to be like.

“Aduns must be free to stand up and question their government,” Speaker Hannah Yeoh told reporters later, using the Malay acronym for assemblymen.

During the debate earlier, Azmin faced a barrage of questions from assemblymen on both sides of the political divide on the inception of DEIG.

They also wanted him to list the fine details on the risk management firm.

DAP’s Damansara Utama representative Yeo Bee Yin wanted the state to give an assurance that its main role “is not to do business or investment” and urged Azmin to restructure the Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI) instead of establishing a new entity.

Azmin said the DEIG was still in its infancy and that more will be revealed in the near future.

“This is just a preamble. DEIG has only has launched three months, there is still a lot more to explain. We are doing it step by step. Why are you jumping the gun when it just was kicked off?” he told the assembly.

Azmin also insisted the DEIG was transparent unlike MBI, and was ever ready to submit constant reports to the state Public Accounts Committee including “in every sitting if necessary”.

Azmin yesterday claimed that DEIG would minimise Selangor’s exposure to investment risks and was needed due to the “tainted” legacy his predecessor, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim left on MBI.