Yesterday saw the complete assault on the Malaysian Parliamentary democratic system at the Perak State Legislative Assembly by the Perak Perikatan National State Government.
As the Speaker chairing the Perak State Legislative Assembly, I was completely shocked at how the Perak PN State Government under Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Ahmad Faizal Bin Azumu orchestrated a complete assault on the Perak State Legislative Assembly.
This case warrants an immediate investigation against him and his government under the following provisions under the Penal Code:
Section 124 – Assaulting member of Parliament, etc., with intent to compel or restrain the exercise of any lawful power
Whoever, with the intention of inducing or compelling or attempting to induce or compel a member of Parliament or of any Legislative Assembly or of any State Executive Council to exercise or refrain from exercising in any manner the lawful powers of such member, assaults or wrongfully restrains, or attempts wrongfully to restrain, or overawes by means of criminal force, or the show of criminal force, or attempts so to overawe, such member shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Section 124B – Activity detrimental to parliamentary democracy
Whoever, by any means, directly or indirectly, commits an activity detrimental to parliamentary democracy shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to twenty years.
Section 124C – Attempt to commit activity detrimental to parliamentary Democracy
Whoever attempts to commit an activity detrimental to parliamentary democracy or does any act preparatory thereto shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fifteen years.
Section 503 – Criminal intimidation
Whoever threatens another with any injury to his person……………………. with intent to cause alarm to that person, or to cause that person to do any act which he is not legally bound to do, or to omit to do any act which that person is legally entitled to do, as the means of avoiding the execution of such threat, commits criminal intimidation.
Section 506 – Punishment for criminal intimidation
Whoever commits the offence of criminal intimidation shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both; ……………………………………………..
Why do I say it is a complete assault against the Perak State Legislative Assembly?
Firstly, the Perak State Government secretly invaded the Perak State Assembly and tampered with the microphone system in the State Assembly until they control the system rather than me. On numerous occasions during the proceedings, when I wanted to use the microphone, the microphone system could not be turned on. The microphone system was supposed to be under the full control of the Speaker of the House and I can override and determine who should be given the right to speak. It was functioning well on Sunday (10th May 2020) when I tested it but I have no control it when I chaired the State Assembly sitting yesterday (12th May 2020).
Secondly, they brought in about 20 men in black with intention to forcibly remove me when I was presiding the State Assembly (though I have intention to resign after my speech/announcement ) and no motion of no confidence to remove me has surfaced as one of the agenda for the day. These men in black have unlawfully trespassed into the State Assembly without my knowledge or consent.
Thirdly, I have invited more than 20 media (only one representative this time as compared to about 3 or 4 per media as was in the past because of Covid-19) to cover the State Assembly sitting but the state government refused them entry and allowed only the official media to be present.
Fourthly, I have instructed live streaming for the whole sitting session (as was in the past) but they stopped the live streaming after the royal address of His Royal Highness the Sultan of Perak so that the public has no access to the proceedings and they have full control over the news that will be released to the public.
Fifthly and lastly, the Sergeant-at- arms who are the State Assembly officials to maintain order and security of the State Assembly at the Speaker’s behest were forced to turn against the Speaker and forcibly evict him from the State Assembly because they are under the payroll of the State Government. The Perak PN State Government orchestrated a mutiny within the State Assembly !
In short, the Perak State Government had planned and acted to take full control of the Perak State Assembly. They want to forcibly evict me, and with only the official media in the State Assembly, they hoped to produce propaganda news to deceive the public. Fortunately, some of the state elected representatives were quick to record the proceedings with their handphone cameras. I forewarn the people that the news or videos that will be produced by the state government will be a doctored or fabricated version of what transpired and they must not fall into its propaganda. However, they may no longer dare to do it because some of the state elected representatives have also the recordings of the proceedings.
I call on the police to thoroughly investigate this case and charge those who planned this assault and charge them in court. If no action is taken, soon the government will invade Parliament, other State Legislative Assemblies and the judicial courts.
Malaysia is a civilized nation that believe in the rule of law. For that reason, laws have been enacted to protect the sanctity of the courts, the legislative assemblies and Parliament from the government who has the police, army, ammunitions and armaments at their disposal. We know all over the world that a country ruled by the barrel of the gun will remain backward and barbaric in its ways, but those that believe in the rule of law has a society that is civic and civilized.
I therefore call on the police to act immediately against those involved and charge them in court so that our rule of law can be upheld.
Yesterday was a shameful day at the Perak State Legislative Assembly !
13th May 2020
Dato’ Ngeh Koo Ham.
Outgoing Speaker of Perak State Assembly and MP for Beruas.
