COMPLAINT OF PRIVILEGE

The Leader of the House (Mr S. Dhanabalan): Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to move a motion under Standing Order 95(7)(d) (i) and (ii).

Mr Speaker, Sir, Parliament has come to a decision on the motion moved by the Second Minister for Law. We have had a very long debate and I do not intend to repeat all the points made. It is very clear to the House that the Member for Anson is guilty of an abuse of privilege and seriously guilty because, in his own words, "erosion of confidence in the administration of justice is disastrous to our society." He knows exactly what he is setting about to do. He has failed to justify his allegations before the Commission of Inquiry on the preposterous argument that he is prohibited by law to give evidence. He has not only persisted in his allegations during the debate that has just been concluded, but he has widened his smear to include the Chief Justice and the Attorney-General and the other Judges of the High Court.

I therefore wish to move, Mr Speaker, Sir, under the Standing Order that I quoted, that the matter be referred to the Committee of Privileges and be merged with my complaint of 19th March 1986, and be taken together. If the Member for Anson pleads justification, he can give evidence to substantiate his allegations, and I am sure, Mr Speaker, Sir, that he will be given every opportunity to substantiate his allegations. He will also be given the opportunity to call any witness that he likes to give evidence to back his allegations.

So, Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to have your ruling whether you find that there is prima facie evidence that this matter be referred to the Committee of Privileges.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Mr Speaker, Sir, on this motion that is before the House, I see ---

Prof. Jayakumar: On a point of order. I thought Standing Orders state that when a breach of privilege is claimed, there shall be no debate on this.

Mr Jeyaretnam: There is no debate on the terms of the motion?

Mr Speaker: I think this can be heard in the Committee of Privileges.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Mr Speaker, Sir, on the terms of the motion I can address you. Because he makes the same mistake which I think the Prime Minister tried to deliberately make. I said if he is going to appoint any Committee, I want all these witnesses produced to me for cross- examination.

Mr Speaker: That is what he said.

Mr Jeyaretnam: He said I can call them. May I have an assurance from the Leader that they will all be produced for cross-examination?

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, I give the assurance that these witnesses will come before the Committee of Privileges.

Mr Speaker: I am satisfied that the matter, prima facie, affects the powers and privileges of Parliament and has been raised at the earliest opportunity. I therefore refer the motion to the Committee of Privileges under Standing Order 95(7)(d)(ii).