GEORGE TOWN: DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng (pic) has given his statement regarding the Aug 2 gathering of MPs in Kuala Lumpur

       Turning up at the North-East District police headquarters in Jalan Patani on Wednesday (Aug 11), the Bagan MP gave his statement to assist the investigation into the gathering.

       Accompanied by his lawyer, Jelutong MP RSN Rayer, Lim said he and his parliamentary colleagues had been denied entry to their offices at Parliament.

       “As informed by the Speaker, all MPs have their respective offices in the building.

       It is our right as MPs to go to our offices and we were prevented from doing so," said Lim before entering the police headquarters.

       Lim said the blockade was in violation of a motion approved by Parliament last year.

       On Tuesday (Aug 10), Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Rayer also gave their statements on the gathering to the police.

       On Aug 2, a group of Opposition MPs attempted to enter the compound of the Parliament building and insisted that the Dewan Rakyat sitting scheduled for that day continue.

       They then gathered at Dataran Merdeka and dispersed peacefully after police instructed them to do so.

       The five-day special sitting which was scheduled to end on Aug 2 was postponed on the advice of the Health Ministry following the spread of Covid-19 in Parliament.

       It is understood that more than 200 police reports have been lodged against the MPs for allegedly violating Covid-19 standard operating procedures under the National Recovery Plan.

       On Monday (Aug 9), police recorded statements from 17 MPs while statements from 20 others were recorded on Saturday.

       Police are investigating the case under Section 21A of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, Section 269 of the Penal Code and Section 9 (5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.