GEORGE TOWN: DAP today defended the actions of three of its members of parliament (MPs) who received warning letters for being disrespectful to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia last week.
Its secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the trio's actions were based on freedom of speech as enshrined in Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.
"DAP will continue to support them 100 per cent. I will defend their stand.
"What is the use of being an MP if you can't debate? I hope the Speaker will not cut off their voices as they are elected representatives, voted in by the people," he told a press conference at his office in Komtar here today.
Elaborating, Lim, however, expressed hope that the issue could be settled internally, without any stern punishment by Pandikar Amin.
"I hope they will meet with the Speaker and explain the whole thing. I also hope the Speaker can reconsider the action taken," he added.
Last Wednesday, Pandikar Amin issued warning letters to Nga Kor Ming (Taiping), Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (Beruas) and V. Sivakumar (Batu Gajah) after they refused to apologise for accusing him of being an accomplice to cover up corruption scandals.
Pandikar Amin, in the letter, demanded the trio issue an open apology in the Dewan Rakyat, and if they fail to do so, stern actions would be taken against them.
There had also been calls by the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club for actions to be taken against the three DAP MPs.