Another tussle over use of Parliament lobby facilities

A PKR MP has filed a motion under Standing Order 27 (3) for the Dewan Rakyat to allow the public to use facilities in the Parliament lobby again in an attempt to overturn a ruling issued late last year.

PKR's Padang Serai MP N Surendran said that the lobby should be allowed for public use so that it would increase the people's interest in the lower house.

"The government is treating it like it is a house for elitists. This is Dewan Rakyat, not Dewan Elitist," Surendran said at a press conference in the Parliament lobby yesterday.

He made these remarks shortly after his attempt to hold a joint press conference with the family of death in custody victim P Karuna Nithi was thwarted by Parliament security.

Last year, after a petition by some journalists and consultation with opposition leaders and ruling party MPs, speaker Pandikar Amin Muliaruled that Parliament lobby facilities could no longer be used by non-MPs to hold press conferences.

Four ‘guest rooms' 

Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shahidan Kassim (right) said later that the Parliament has four ‘guest rooms' that can accommodate 200 people for public use.

"They can use those rooms for press conferences. It's just 10 steps away from the Dewan Rakyat. Is it difficult to walk 10 steps?" he asked.

Shahidan said he would not have a problem in allowing public to use lobby facilities again if journalists, opposition and BN MPs can together reach a consensus and request for the lobby to be opened to the public again.

"If there's an agreement by all parties again, then no problem," he said.