RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) said the police report by Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN-Machang) on Anwar Ibrahim’s parliamentary reply was “extreme” and “unwarranted”.
Wan Fayhsal lodged a report against Anwar and Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng last Friday over the tax exemption issue involving Yayasan Albukhari, urging the police to take action against the duo.
He alleged that Anwar had confused the Dewan Rakyat by supporting Lim, who was the finance minister from 2018 to 2020.
Raising a point of order in the Dewan Rakyat today, Rayer said no branch of the government, including the police, had the right to investigate matters raised in Parliament, as constitutionally guaranteed.
He said if Wan Fayhsal felt that Anwar had misled the Dewan, he could move a motion to refer the prime minister to the rights and privileges committee.
“When the prime minister explained that Bagan (Lim) was not involved in (Yayasan Albukhari’s) tax cancellation, no one objected and it was accepted as the truth. I’m not sure if Machang was even there at that time,” he said.
“Two days later, Machang lodged a police report. This is an extreme attitude that should be looked into by the Dewan. I urge the deputy speaker to not give any avenue to Machang to disparage parliamentary proceedings further.”
Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) interjected, stating that Rayer should voice his grievances in writing.
Deputy speaker Ramli Nor then said parliamentary proceedings were immune from prosecution, adding that he agreed with Ronald that such a complaint should be made in writing to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul.
“What was raised by Jelutong is relevant and is in line with provisions under the Dewan Rakyat and the Federal Constitution,” said Ramli.
“I urge Jelutong and any other member who is slighted over this issue to exercise their powers by doing so in writing.”
Wan Fayhsal had previously backed a claim by Perikatan Nasional chairman and Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin that Lim had cancelled the tax exemption given to the foundation, a Muslim charitable organisation, while he was the finance minister.
Muhyiddin argued that Lim was responsible for cancelling the tax break as the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) was under Lim’s purview at the time.
At the Dewan Rakyat on March 21, Anwar said Lim did not cancel the tax exemption.
He said the decision to exempt anyone or any entity from tax was the “sole prerogative” of the LHDN director-general, and not the finance minister or the prime minister.