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Move to discipline Gobind falls flat

by: V. Vasudevan, Eileen Ng, Joseph Sipalan, Irdiani Mohd Salleh and Ili Liyana Mokhtar

AN attempt by a backbencher to refer Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong) to the Rights and Privileges Committee failed yesterday because he cited the wrong Standing Order.

Undeterred, the backbenchers are expected to try again today, using another Standing Order.

The attempt to refer Gobind to the committee, which disciplines members for wrongdoings, over remarks he had made about the Speaker, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, was initiated by Razali Ibrahim (BN-Muar).

However, it was said to be flawed by Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee.

"I am afraid that it is the wrong Standing Order. The house will now move to the next matter," he said.
The backbenchers felt Gobind had shown disrespect to Pandikar Amin by stating he had not apologised to the speaker over his remarks when the speaker said he had.

Gobind received a two-day suspension on Monday when he repeatedly ignored the speaker's order to refrain from bringing up matters unrelated to the subject under discussion.

This happened when Gobind alluded to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim seeking refuge in the Turkish embassy as the house was discussing abandoned housing.

"Some quarters are implying that when I said I did not apologise, it was tantamount to claiming that the speaker is a liar. That is stretching it too far," said Gobind.

"This is a simple case of a misunderstanding. I am very sure the speaker is not lying."

Gobind's father, Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor), who was also referred to the Rights and Privileges Committee for disciplinary action in 2004, and subsequently suspended for six months without allowance, said the matter should be settled rationally.

"We as MPs do become emotional, so does the speaker. We are all human," he said.

Earlier, members of the house discussed Gobind's conduct after Ibrahim Ali (Independent-Pasir Mas) demanded an explanation from Pandikar Amin if he was telling the truth .

"You say he apologised but he says otherwise. Can we know what happened? Reading the newspapers, the impression I get is that you are a liar," Ibrahim told Pandikar Amin.

Ibrahim's statement drew flak from Karpal who said the house did not have to listen to anyone who had questionable principles.

"He is a frog and has jumped from party to party. How can we treat his call for discipline seriously?" he asked as Ibrahim called Karpal a barua (pimp).

However, Ibrahim, following a protest from N. Gobalakrishnan (PKR-Padang Serai), withdrew the word, saying: "I was not referring to anyone specifically."

Puad Zakarshi (BN-Batu Pahat) said the best way to solve the problem would be to ask Gobind.

Gobind then gave his version of what transpired at a lunchtime meeting.

"I went in. I said 'sorry to trouble you'. Is that not polite conversation? I never said sorry for what happened in the Dewan. I said (to the press) the meeting was cordial."