No action against Loga, says Speaker

Dewan Rakyat Speaker says the Deputy FT Minister did not intend to mislead the House so he will not be referred to the RPC.

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Federal Territories Minister J Loga Bala Mohan will not be referred to the Rights and Privileges Committee for misleading the Dewan Rakyat because there is no element of malice, said Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia.

Pandikar Amin said he could not see that there was intention from Loga to confuse or mislead the Dewan.

“I could not find any element of malice. It was just that his delivery on the issue was different and was misinterpreted,” he said in Parliament today.

Pandikar was referring to Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng’s concern over Loga’s promise that the proposed assessment rates would be deferred to March pending consultation with stakeholders.

However, Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Mansor had insisted that the new assessment rates would take effect on Jan 1, despite objection by many quarters.

Lim had quoted Section 36(12) of the Standing Order which provides for any member who imputes statements that mislead the House is deemed to be in contempt of the House and the member may be referred to the Committee of Privileges for the offence.

Pandikar, however, said although assessment rates would be increased, the quantum had not been determined.

“The final rate will only be determined at the end of March, 2014. Ratepayers can thus pay according to the current rate,” he said.

Pandikar said DBKL would not penalise those who did not settle the tax before its implementation.

He urged both sides of the divide not to politicise the issue.