M'sian Speaker threatens journos for 'ambushing' MPs at parliament lobby
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KUALA LUMPUR - Reporters covering the Malaysian parliament have been told to "stop ambushing lawmakers" failing which speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia would have to call their editors.
Pandikar made the decision after Kota Melaka MP complained that a non-parliamentarian had held a press conference at the Parliament lobby.
"What I am regretful about is reporters in parliament who are chasing these people for answers and comments on issues.
"Those who were ambushed are forced to answer the reporters, they don't do it on their own will " he said.
On Monday, Kota Melaka MP Sim Tong Him had raised an issue on reporters interviewing government lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah in the lobby.
Sim said that Shafee should not have spoken to reporters as the lobby was meant for parliamentarians only.
Pandikar agreed that the lobby was exclusively for parliamentarians and not everyone was entitled to speak there.
He said reporters were free to ask questions at a designated area for press conferences but not everyone had the right to speak at the parliament lobby.
"So I call on all reporters not to because I will have to call the editors," he added.
