In an unprecedented move, the cabinet yesterday suspended Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Datuk S. Sothinathan for three months with immediate effect for going against government policy. Explaining the reason for the decision, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said: "As a member of the government, he should not have taken the stand to criticise the government (in Parliament)." He said that this was certainly a breach of party (BN) discipline. He said Sothinathan, who will still be a member of parliament, will stay away from the front bench for three months. This is the first time the government is suspending a deputy minister from its ranks, Abdullah said after speaking at an investors conference. Sothinathan, 45, who is Teluk Kemang MP and MIC secretary-general, had during a debate on the Crimea State Medical University (CSMU) issue in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday, questioned the government's decision to de-recognise CSMU degrees. The debate was on a DAP motion to discuss the Malaysian Medical Council's decision to not recognise CSMU degrees, affecting Malaysian students. Sothinathan had said many of the students at the university are Indians and because of this, being a BN component party, the MIC is duty-bound to protect their interest. "We are the party in government representing the Indian community ... it is our duty to right a wrong when it happens," he had said when responding to Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad. The Chief Secretary to the Government in a statement issued last night said: "Based on the Code of Ethics for Members of the Administration 2004, a member of the administration (including deputy minister) is bound by the principles of joint responsibilities, that is, he cannot make any statements which are contrary to government policities." Tan Seri Samsudin Osman, who is also cabinet secretary, said the decision to suspend Sothinathan was made at the cabinet meeting which discussed his behaviour in Parliament on Tuesday. "The cabinet decided to get the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to suspend the YB Deputy Minister (Sothinathan) for three months with immediate effect," he said. The decision is in accordance with Clause (1) Article 43A which is read jointly with Section 29 of the 11th Schedule of the Federal Constitution. When contacted, Sothinathan said he accepts the decision and will continue to do his party and constituency work. Met at works minister and MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu's office, he refused to elaborate on the decision. He had earlier held a closed-door meeting with Samy Vellu. Also present were MIC leaders including its vice-president Datuk G. Palanivel. Samy Vellu said in a statement that it is Abdullah's prerogative to suspend Sothinathan. "The prime minister has the right to take this decision because it is his prerogative to appoint ministers and deputy ministers, apart from other government officials." He said that he will table the MIC's stand on CSMU at the next cabinet meeting, since Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek will not be present. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz said that Sothinathan loses his privileges and responsibilities as a deputy minister, as well as his salary, during that period. He said he had informed BN Chief Whip Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak of the breaking of rank and had provided the Hansard and tape recording of the debate as evidence. He said Sothinathan was not referred to the Dewan Rakyat Privileges Committee because he did commit an offence in relation to his position as an MP. "What he actually did was he broke rank and it was solely an administrative issue because he was part of the government. He broke the party discipline and he was disciplined." Nazri denied that the suspension was meant as a warning to front bench members not to speak against the government. "If you are member of the administration, it is your duty to defend the stand, decision and policy of the government. You cannot have the cake and eat it." In December 2002, Penang assemblymen Lim Boo Chang and Tan Cheng Liang were suspended indefinitely by the MCA and BN for refusing to vote against an Opposition motion to defer the RM1.03 billion Penang Outer Ring Road project in the state assembly. SUPPORT AND LOBBY FOR PARLIAMENTARY TELECASTS Bahawa Dewan ini mengambil keputusan untuk membenarkan siaran langsung sidang Dewan Rakyat melalui televisyen supaya rakyat boleh menonton ucapan para ahli Yang Berhormat dan proses Dewan Rakyat membuat keputusan terhadap dasar dan undang-undang. More videos available on Google Video. http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=parlimen

• published: 25 Apr 2006
• views: 59789