Anwar defends meeting under tree

KUALA LUMPUR, March 3 — Malaysianinsider— Bernama

It might have looked amusing or odd to many people, but opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim defended the action of Perak Assembly Speaker V Sivakumar to hold an emergency assembly meeting under a tree in Ipoh today.

Anwar also regarded the meeting held under the tree near the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building, which houses the State Legislative Assembly hall, as valid because the members were prevented from entering the building.

“Knowing that the sitting should be held, they (the authorities) cordoned the entire area, forcing them (Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen) to convene the meeting under a tree or it could have been at a car park.

“It does not matter, (for) what difference does it make? I remember that in my case, the judge once held the trial in the Sungai Buloh Prison. In this case, let the Speaker decide. They didn’t have a choice,” he said.

“My view is that the Speaker had been duly appointed. He has the authority to convene (the meeting)... As far as we see it, the meeting was legal as there was a legal notice, there was agenda... they barred him (Speaker) from entering the office,” added Anwar, who questioned the authorities’ action of not allowing the Speaker and the assemblymen to enter the building.