What a circus.
The debate on 1MDB that's almost certain to take place between challenger DAP lawmaker Tony Pua and 1MDB president and group executive director ArulKanda Kandasamy has taken a new development, or twist.
Earlier today, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia issued an ultimatum to the government : stop the planned debate between Arul Kanda and Tony Pua or else he will resign.
I suppose you can say the guy has a point.. but why now? A little too late.
In a follow-up to this, Tony Pua held a Press conference to say that he was willing to forgo the live debate because the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) probe "is more important."
And he will be seeking clarification from Pandikar Amin tomorrow on his statement.
"I cannot let the debate jeopardise PAC investigations into the matter.
"As a PAC member and a responsible MP, I cannot let Arul be barred from being called as a witness, so if the ruling stands, I have to abide by it," he said.
Waah.. I tell you.. Since when has Tony and his DAP colleagues ever responded this way to any BN political leader?
Pussy-footing. What poppycock. Bunkum.
Trying to weasel your way out, eh, Tony?
Pussy-footing. What poppycock. Bunkum.
Trying to weasel your way out, eh, Tony?
Drama sandiwara and wayang-lah. And that's what I love (most times) about our politics... you just have to keep guessing - in all this intrigue - what's lakonan and what isn't.
All this had escaped Mr Pua, huh? Now only, all this hit him -- after Arul Kanda opened the way wide open for the debate to take place.
Pua challenged Arul. He accepted on condition that Pua resign as PAC member. Pua made one noise. So Arul immediately announced that he was dropping that condition, so let's debate.
And then today, Pandikar Amin issued that ultimatum. Don't know who is in a quandary now and who is having a picnic now..
As for Pandikar : as I have said he does have a point.
Whatever. We have little choice as spectators and the rakyat but to lie back and watch the show before the show if the (big) show is ever to take place.
Here's Pandikar's statement made in Parliament today."If the government still goes ahead with the debate, I will not get involved.. I will resign as Speaker,
"What is the problem if PAC carries out its investigation and subsequently tables the report... can’t Malaysians wait until the investigation by PAC is done?
"Petaling Jaya Utara (Pua) is also in PAC, and Arul also will be called up by PAC. Why the rush? Will the debate get a conclusive answer?
"The answer is no. We also know that the investigation report by PAC on 1MDB will also be presented to the House Committee.
The NST reported that Pandikar had earlier told the House that parliament would not stop the debate between Arul and Pua, provided that Pua either resigns from PAC or excuses himself from PAC's 1MDB-related proceedings.
He said had that Arul should not be involved in the investigation and cited Standing Order 23(1)(e) which states that members are not allowed to give statements without the consent of the House committee.
Pandikar also reminded the House that the role of a PAC member is that of an investigator, not a prosecutor (in reference to Pua.)
"The planned debate on TV will give space to discuss the matter and is premature as the (1MDB) invesigation is still ongoing.
"It will affect PAC and attract prejudice of the credibility of both parties (involved in the debate).
"Furthermore, the tendency to accuse a person's character is not allowed by Standing Order 23(1)(0)."
(source: The Star and NST)
(Pandika's quotes taken from NST online)
