TAN Sri Azhar Azizan Harun says he will speak with the police about its recent probe into Sepanggar MP Datuk Azis Jamman’s speech made in Dewan Rakyat recently.

       “MPs have the right to speak in Parliament and I take this matter seriously.

       “I will go through Sepanggar’s speech and I will communicate with the relevant parties in order to uphold the right to speak in the House,” said the Dewan Rakyat Speaker.

       The matter was raised by Lim Guan Eng (PH-Bagan) after Question Time yesterday where he said it seemed as though the police were intimidating the MPs when they called in Azis for questioning.

       Lim said the former deputy home minister was not suggesting the secession of Sabah but merely spoke on the grievances voiced out by Sabahans.

       “The same was uttered by an MP from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah but we don’t see the same action taken against him.

       “This seems like double standards and intimidation towards the Opposition,” he said.

       Lim urged Azhar to make a ruling over the matter in order to uphold the sovereignty and sanctity of Parliament.

       Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PH-Port Dickson), meanwhile said any issues regarding speeches by the MPs could be referred to the Parliamentary Select Committee for action to be taken.

       “However, when the police chose to question Azis over his speech, this has set a dangerous precedent in the country.

       Azhar said he only found out about the issue when he read it in the news and gave Azis several minutes to speak.

       Azis said his speech clearly stated that it was the sentiments of Sabahans and there were no intentions of seceding from Malaysia.

       “These are the voices of those who felt like ‘step-children’ in the country.

       “These voices are growing louder,” he said.

       In his speech on Nov 9, Azis said there were growing calls for Sabah to secede from Malaysia due to alleged unfair allocations to the state under Budget 2022.