Khir can be referred to privileges committee

http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=31631

SHAH ALAM (March 27, 2009): Former Selangor menteri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo (pix) can be referred to the State Assembly's Privileges Committee for failing to attend the Special Select Committee on Competence, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) inquiry.

Mohd Khir and his wife, Datin Seri Zahrah Kechik, are among 11 witnesses ordered to explain the more than RM1 million sponsorship received by the Wives of Selangor State Assemblymen and MPs Charity and Welfare Organisation (Balkis) from state-owned and private companies.

Selcat chairman Teng Chang Khim said: "Any member in Selcat can refer Mohd Khir to the (state assembly) speaker who sits as the chairman of the privileges committee...and the committee can call for a meeting to deliberate on the matter (on Mohd Khir's absence to appear before Selcat).

"After that, going by convention of the Selangor State Assembly, the report will be submitted to the state assembly level for decision making."

He was speaking to reporters after chairing the public hearing on Balkis at the State Secretariat building near here, today.

The Selcat inquiry which started last Monday, is scheduled to run until March 31.

Teng, who is also Selangor state assembly speaker, said Zahrah, who was the then-chairman of Balkis, had committed an offence when she failed to appear at the Selcat inquiry, although she was instructed to do so.

"The next course of action will be to lodge a police report against her...our duty ends when we lodge the police report because the power of prosecution lies with the attorney-general (AG)," he said, adding he would instruct the Selcat secretary to make the report.

Earlier, Mohd Khir and his wife handed over a letter to Teng through their solicitors on March 23, stating they would not attend the Selcat inquiry.

According to Mohd Khir in the letter, Selcat was not valid as it had yet to receive clearance on its formation from the AG's Chambers.

Clarifying, Teng said: "There is no provision, either in the state constitution or the standing order of the house, which stipulates that setting up of a commitee of the house should be certified by the AG.

"The state legislative assembly is not subjected to the supervisions of the AG...furthermore, the AG is not even the legal advisor to the legislation," he added. -- Bernama