Statement on RM2.6 bln made in my capacity as minister in-charge – Azalina

KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said yesterday said her press statement on the government to no longer answer questions on the RM2.6 billion in the Dewan Rakyat was made in her capacity as the minister in-charge.

“It has to be explained that the media statement I gave yesterday (March 16) was in my capacity as the minister responsible for answering issues which concern the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), which include the issue on the RM2.6 billion, in Parliament,” she said in a press statement here yesterday.

She said the issues were now subjected to (Dewan Rakyat) Standing Order 23(1)(g) where it would be sub judice to discuss the matter at any forum.

The government, she said would no longer respond to oral or written questions on the issues, including during the debate session, for as long as there were under judicial consideration.

Sub judice is to avoid discussion (on the matter) by other parties so that the court will not be inf luenced by external factors when making its judgment or decision, she added.

Yesterday’s press statement was issued in response to several quarters having questioned Azalina for issuing the statement yesterday, saying that she had no capacity to do so, but that of the Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia.

On Wednesday, Azalina said the government would no longer answer questions on the RM2.6 billion issue in the Dewan Rakyat as the matter was now subjected to legal process in court.

She said the RM2.6 billion and SRC International issues were now subject of a suit filed in the High Court (Appellate and Special Powers Division) last Monday by the Malaysian Bar against Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali. - Bernama