M. Kulasegaran

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 18, 2009) : The Dewan Rakyat today rejected an emergency motion to discuss the Klang police shoot-out on Nov 8, in which five suspected gang members were killed, because the case was still under police investigation.

In filing the motion, M. Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat)called for the government to conduct an open inquiry on the case, saying this was not the first time members of the public were shot by the police on the pretext that they were suspected criminals.

"Although the police have the right to shoot in self-defence, it is better if they arrest the suspected criminals and charge them in court. The police action has affected public order," he said, adding last year there were 39 similar cases reported.

"This has clearly shown that the police have abused their powers without considering public interest and order," he said, while explaining the trauma faced by family members of the victims.

Wan Junaidi

When Deputy Speaker Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar rejected the motion, Kulasegaran stood up again, saying Parliament should not accept "everything that is told by the government."

"We want Parliament to be relevant and give specific attention to important cases like this. We should allow the voice of the people to be heard in the House.

"If we only listen to the government, it is a subjective statement. The government would surely defend themselves," he said.

Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) then said the fact that the police are investigating the case should not be an excuse for the House to avoid debating it.

"The investigation is done by the police, at the executive level. But the suggested inquiry is made by the parliament. This is in line with the doctrine of separation of powers," he said.

Lim Kit Siang

M. Manogaran (DAP-Teluk Intan) said the House can decide not to discuss a case if it was a court case, but not when it was under police investigation.

Wan Junaidi then said he made the decision based on the fact that the MPs could still touch on the matter in their debates later.

"The chance and space to discuss the same issue in the House is still open. You can bring it up in your debates. Although it is not stated in the standing order, that is a convention we respect," he added.