Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia gave this advice to former ministers alleged to have leaked government secrets.

Speaking to reporters during a press conference in the Dewan Rakyat, Pandikar said the three — Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, Muhyiddin Yassin, Shafie Apdal — should have raised their grievances during Cabinet meetings while they were still ministers.

“If they are gentlemen, why didn’t they speak out when they were in the Cabinet? They could have disagreed and resigned then.

“Instead, after they got fired, only then they raised these issues to the public.”

Pandikar subsequently questioned the motive of the three ministers alleged to have divulged confidential information on 1MDB in the Dewan Rakyat.

“We, as parliamentarians with dignity, shouldn’t hide behind parliamentary immunity and bring our personal agendas into the Dewan.

“This means you are not a gentleman.”

Pandikar said a convention practised by the British House of Commons doesn’t allow former ministers to speak in Parliament on matters disclosed in the Cabinet.

“When a former minister reveals matters during his time in the Cabinet, it can bring serious consequences to the standing of the prime minister in the government.

“In the convention practised by the House of Commons, a minister must resign if he does not agree with certain things in the government.”

The three are currently under investigation by police for allegedly breaking their oath of secrecy and breaching provisions under the Official Secrets Act for speaking on issues they were aware of while they were holding their ministerial posts.

Pandikar said it was entirely up to the courts to decide whether the three had committed an offence.

“When the investigation papers are completed and forwarded to the Attorney-General, it is up to him whether to take action or not.

“I don’t interpret the Constitution and the statutes. My job is to interpret the Standing Orders.”