Bastian Pius Vendargon said what matters most was the recording made in Hansard, the official record of debates in the Malaysian Parliament.
“He cannot backtrack what was said in the House by merely issuing a statement,” he said in reference to Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s denial that Malaysian police had enlisted the help of Interpol to locate the businessmen also known as Jho Low over its investigation into the 1MDB scandal.
Bastian said any contradicting statement made by members of the government administration or MPs amounted to contempt of the House.
On Tuesday evening Zahid, who is also home minister, issued a statement that “social media” reports had manipulated the answer given by him in the Dewan Rakyat.
Zahid had earlier in the day responded to Azmin’s supplementary question in the Dewan Rakyat.
Azmin, who is Gombak MP also said the position taken by the DPM in the august House is crystal clear.
“He responded to me that police had contacted Interpol to locate Jho Low,” Azmin told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur High Court yesterday, where he had attended a court case.
Azmin said Zahid also said he had not received the final report from Interpol yet.
“So, if you have not received the final report, how can you say that the matter is closed?” Azmin asked, adding he was shocked to learn about the denial.
The PKR deputy president said he would discuss with those in Pakatan Harapan (PH) on whether to refer Zahid to the Rights and Privileges Committee for making a retraction.
Bastian said it was for the House to regulate the conduct of members who have taken the oath as the legislature was a separate arm of the government.
The senior lawyer said if a minister or MP denied an earlier statement made outside Parliament, it merely affected his credibility.
“In this case, the deputy prime minister has replied on behalf of the government in the Dewan Rakyat and members will have to deal with it in accordance with the Standing Orders,” he said.
Bastian said a witness who lied in court could be charged with perjury or contempt for disrespecting the court.