Subjudice to discuss DOJ suit in Parliament - Speaker

Questions submitted for oral and written answers pertaining to the civil action by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) need not be answered by the minister concerned as they are subjudice in nature, said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia.

Pandikar Amin said the decision to not let the minister concerned to respond to such questions was to avoid the perception of the minister being accused of not answering the questions as the matter was still being discussed in the court.

"After studying the contents of the questions, I find that it concerns matters which are still discussed by the court, therefore it is subjudice.

"The minister need not have to respond to the matter," he said at the end of the oral question sessions in Parliament today.

He said the decision was not made in haste, but after considering the legal aspect of the matter.

Pandikar Amin said he would also inform in writing on the decision to Dewan Rakyat members who submitted the questions.

Last July, DOJ had filed civil suit seeking the return of assets obtained through funds misappropriated from the 1Malaysia Development Bhd. -- Bernama