Parliament: Karpal Singh files motion to discuss CJ Zaki

KUALA LUMPUR: With the support of a total of 57 MPs - 56 MPs from Pakatan Rakyat and an independent MP, Karpal Singh (DAP - Bukit Gelugor) filed a motion Wednesday to discuss the conduct of Chief Justice Tan Sri Zaki Azmi in the Dewan Rakyat.

The notice of motion was filed at noon Wednesday to the Dewan Rakyat secretary, which would be printed on Order Paper 14 days later.

Karpal Singh had described that getting the signatures of 57 MPs to support the motion as historic.

“This is the first time that we managed to get the support to move a substantive motion.

“This could not have happened in the past,” he said.

With 222 MPs in the House now, signatures of 56 MPs or a quarter from the House was required to discuss judges.

A total of 81 MPs are from Pakatan Rakyat and the 56 signatures were collected in half a day.

Section 36(8) of the Standing Orders states that the conduct of judges shall not be referred to except upon a substantive motion moved for that purpose where Article 127 of the Federal Constitution was complied.

Article 127 of the Federal Constitution states that the conduct of a judge shall not be discussed in the House unless one quarter of MPs gave their consent.

The motion also calls upon the Prime Minister to invoke the provisions of Article 125(3) of the Federal Constitution with a view to referring Zaki to a tribunal appointed by the King to remove him as Chief Justice on ground of serious misconduct in having publicly lied.

Karpal Singh, who said Zaki’s clarification was a lie, also called for Zaki to be suspended as Chief Justice pending the outcome of the tribunal.

Lee Yuk Peng
Star Online
26/11/08

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