By Neville Spykerman
SHAH ALAM, Nov 17 — The Selangor state assembly today voted to refer Datuk Mohamed Satim Diman to the Privileges Committee for misleading the House.
During debates on Nov 11, the Seri Serdang assemblyman said the Budget tabled by the Selangor mentri besar was “suspect” because of Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s failure to pay a Bank Islam loan amounting to RM66.6 million, which he obtained in 1998 to purchase Guthrie Group.
Satim said the 200 million shares option amounted to 20 per cent of Guthrie shares and this proves Khalid failed to manage his personal finances.
Khalid, who tabled the motion on Friday, had given the Umno lawmaker till yesterday to retract his remarks and apologise for misleading the state assembly.
Besides misleading the House, Khalid said the lawmaker had insulted him by omitting to mention that he had obtained the court’s permission to counter-sue Bank Islam and there was no reason to pay the amount because the case is still pending.
Satim, who was formerly deputy Speaker of the House, did not show up at the state assembly on Friday, Monday or today to defend himself or apologise .
If found guilty by the Privileges Committee, he could face suspension without allowances.
Currently, former mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo is serving a year’s suspension while another four Umno lawmakers have been suspended six months for contempt.
The lawmakers had criticised the Select Committee for Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat), leading the Privileges Committee to suspend them.
Show/Hide comments
Show/Hide comment form
