Zahid: Decision not to bar Sivarraajh a win for M’sians

DATUK Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has described Speaker Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof’s decision to allow Cameron Highlands MP C. Sivarraajh to attend parliamentary proceedings as a victory for Malaysians.

The Barisan Nasional chairman hopes that the Speaker’s decision yesterday will set a precedent for similar cases in future.

“The Speaker’s decision is a victory for the rakyat. We hope this will serve as a guide to all.

“Don’t follow your emotions when making decisions. Refer to details in the legislative system,” he said at the Parliament lobby.

Last Thursday, several Barisan MPs staged a walkout after Moha- mad Ariff ordered Sivarraajh out of the House.

This came following the Election Court’s decision to nullify Barisan’s victory in the Cameron Highlands parliamentary seat in GE14 after finding elements of corruption.

Ahmad Zahid, the Bagan Datuk MP, regarded Mohamad Ariff ’s initial ruling as a sad moment in Malaysia’s parliamentary system.

He said Sivarraajh had the right to appeal the court decision within 14 days.

He said before the end of that period, any lawmaker had the right to sit in parliamentary proceedings.

“Cameron Highlands (Sivarraajh) is eligible to sit until the seat is declared vacant,” said Mohamad Ariff.