KUALA LUMPUR: A government backbencher wants Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to answer queries over the discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) granted to Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in the Dewan Rakyat.
Hassan Abdul Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) said this was because members of both sides of the Dewan Rakyat have continuously asked questions about the issue, whether inside or outside the August House.
He said members of parliament should be allowed to ask questions about the DNAA during the Prime Minister's Question Time (PMQT).
"From a legal point of view, what was reported in the paper was hearsay. However, I also believe that the prime minister has no involvement in the matter as we once discussed judiciary independence and how it must be guarded and he (Anwar) agreed (on the matter).
"I will not throw my leader under the bus and I will defend him in this House.
"Hence, I hope that he can explain in the House, whether in the nearest time or during PMQT session," he said during his debate session on the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) mid-term review.
Hassan added that he was also left unsatisfied with the attorney-general's (A-G) decision, adding that the latter must take responsibility.
Following this, he said that it was timely that the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) summon both the A-G and former A-G to explain the matter.
"PSSC has the right (to call them) as both the committee and the Parliament have integrity."
Meanwhile, Hassan said he had previously asked Anwar about allegations that there was selective prosecution involved in the charging of former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan for alleged abuse of power in the Jana Wibawa case.
He said he also stands firm in his stance that Muhyiddin and Wan Saiful's prosecutions were based on evidence put forth by the relevant authorities and had nothing to do with political interference.
"I called Anwar to tell him that I did not agree with the prosecution... however, he told me that it had nothing to do with being selective as the relevant authorities had strong evidence to prosecute.
"Hence, I am standing firm with my stance to not throw my leader under the bus and I will defend him.
"But to be fair, both sides of the House must hear the explanation from the prime minister to put an end to the DNAA issue."