KUALA LUMPUR, April 6 ― Lim Kit Siang claimed today that Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar would be acting in violation of a parliamentary resolution if PKR’s Rafizi Ramli remains in police lock-up today and is forced to skip the final two days of the current Dewan Rakyat meeting.
The Gelang Patah MP, who is still under suspension from the House, explained that this is because the unanimous resolution passed by the Dewan Rakyat at the start of the meeting instructed the IGP to ensure there is no obstruction for MPs to make their way to and from Parliament.
He said the police could have chosen to arrest Rafizi after Thursday when the meeting sits for its final day, instead of surrounding him yesterday at the gates of Parliament.
“This is not a partisan issue, affecting the MP from PKR or Pakatan Harapan but an issue affecting parliamentary privileges of all MPs, regardless of political party.
“The police arrest of Rafizi is a clear-cut case of parliamentary contempt, especially the way Rafizi was ambushed and arrested outside the gates of Parliament ― which is doubly unacceptable and inexcusable when there is an unanimous motion passed by Parliament instructing the IGP to ensure no obstruction for MPs to make their way to and from Parliament,” Lim said in a statement.
“If Rafizi is not allowed the liberty to attend today and tomorrow’s Parliamentary sitting, a motion should be passed unanimously by Parliament today citing the Inspector-General of Police for contempt,” he added.
Rafizi, who is Pandan MP, was arrested outside the Parliament compound last night as he was leaving.
Police confirmed that the lawmaker was nabbed for an investigation under Section 8 of the Official Secrets Act 1972. He was also held overnight in lock-up, after police searched his home and office.
The police are expected to apply today to further remand the PKR vice-president.
After his arrest, opposition lawmakers still in Parliament urged the Deputy Speaker to take action over the incident.
