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News General Opinions/Comments Karpal: ‘I may need to get a bodyguard’ (Update 2)
News General Opinions/Comments Karpal: ‘I may need to get a bodyguard’ (Update 2) 
| Karpal: ‘I may need to get a bodyguard’ (Update 2) |
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| Saturday, 28 February 2009 02:50pm | |
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©The Star (Used by permission) PETALING JAYA: DAP chairman Karpal Singh said he now has to seriously consider getting a bodyguard following the threats and scuffle at the Parliament on Thursday. “The security in Parliament should be strengthened and I will on Monday ask the Speaker about the steps taken to tighten security,” he said in a telephone interview. “There must be strict vetting and whoever brings guests should just stay in the public gallery and be guided out,” he said. For now, his assistant Michael Cornelius, 34, and driver Henry Quico, 47, would have accompany him wherever he goes, he said. Due to his handicap, Karpal Singh’s assitant Michael, from Chennai, India, helps him with his daily needs after he became wheelchair-bound after an accident in 2005. Meanwhile, Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia said that Karpal Singh, Selangor Umno youth members and eyewitnesses who saw the scuffle would be called to testify before an eight-man investigation committee set up in the Dewan Rakyat. The committee led by Pandikar, is made up of his deputy Datuk Ronald Kiandee, MPs Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (BN Bintulu), Nancy Shukri (BN Batang Sadong), Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn (BN Alor Gajah), R. Sivarasa (PKR Subang), Lim Kit Siang (DAP Ipoh Timur) and Datuk Kamaruddin Jaffar (PAS Tumpat), would conduct the “trial” in chambers soon in order to make its recommendation. The committee would then report back to the House with its recommendation for a decision to be made in the House, he said. Under section 9 of the Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act, a person found to have committed parliamentary contempt was liable to a maximum fine of RM1,000. After Karpal Singh entered the House on Thursday, he raised the matter and the Speaker started investigating right after that. At 8pm, Minister in the Prime Ministers Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz tabled a motion under Standing Order 80A to set up the committee, saying that it would then take appropriate action against those responsible. Pandikar said that it was the first time that the Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act was being invoked to set up an investigative committee for a parliamentary contempt. He said this had never happened before and veteran MP Lim Kit Siang (DAP - Ipoh Timur) also concurred. “It is a new experience to all of us,” Pandikar said. Meanwhile, in George Town, Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the confrontation that took place in the Parliament compound was embarrassing and disgusting. He said it was wrong for the group of Umno Youth members to confront and block DAP chairman Karpal Singh from entering the House and carrying out his duty as an elected MP (for Bukit Gelugor) on Thursday. “The incident was embarrassing as it showed disrespect for the Parliament, which is the highest and most prestigious institution in Malaysia. The act of gangsterism by the Umno members showed that they have no respect for the law and elected MPs. “I also feel disgusted by the group’s statements and their action in threatening the safety of Karpal Singh, a disabled person in a wheelchair,” said Lim on Friday. He called on Umno to apologise to all Malaysians for their statements and for tarnishing Malaysia’s image, and also called for strict action to be taken against the group for threatening Karpal Singh’s safety and that of the MPs who went to his aid. Lim, who is also Bagan MP, said he appreciated that Backbenchers Club chairman Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing had apologised over the incident, but felt it was only right that Umno do so too. “The (in house) police should give an explanation for their failure to control the peace in Parliament because, like it or not, the police is seen as allowing this rude and uncivilised wrongful act to happen.” On Karpal Singh’s use of the word ‘celaka’ in reference to Umno Youth during his debate speech on Wednesday and his allegation that Umno was responsible for the two bullets he had received in the mail, Lim said the statement was made in the House and it was up to the Speaker to take any action. Comments (1)
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Circular No 023/2012: Talk on ISO 9001 | 2008 Quality Management System Certification
Yes, Kapal, you need a bodyguard;
To prevent you from being touched.
Not because you are untouchable;
But to prevent the advancements of those horrible!
Even as upon your wheels you sat;
Those 'attackers' gave you the spat.
Knowing that you were immobile;
They were threatening and hostile.
We await now, to hear what their leaders say;
To determine as to whether they do sway.
What is to be said;
Will clearly indicate.
As to whether they condone;
To the hostility as shown.
Tan Peek Guat