Selangor opposition leader Dr Mohd Khir Toyo should not be stripped of his privileges and allowances during his suspension, said a DAP parliamentarian today.

Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo said there are specific provisions which allow for errant assemblypersons to be punished by way of suspension from the legislative assembly.

khir toyo and selangor state assembly "However, the fact that the member remains an assemblyperson does not change even when he is suspended.

"He is still duty bound to see to the problems of his constituents for all intents and purposes, his recognition as an assemblyperson in the local councils and all other government agencies continue," he added in a statement.

Gobind was responding to the committee's decision yesterday to suspend the former Selangor MB for a year.

The decision follows the Umno leader's absence from the Balkis inquiry in March and for criticising the Selangor Select Committee on Competence, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) in his blog.

The privileges committee also called for the suspension of Barisan Nasional assemblypersons Warno Dogol (Sabak), Isa Abdul Kasim (Batang Kali), Marsum Paing (Dengkil) and Mohamad Idris Abu Bakar (Hulu Bernam) for six months for questioning the integrity of Selcat.

This trend must not continue

In March, Gobind was suspended without any allowances and benefits following his outburst in the House against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

gobind singh deo jalan duta court 230409 07 The debutant parliamentarian allegedly linked Najib with the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu and called him a "murderer" in the process.

Gobind later filed a lawsuit against the government, Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia, the House secretary and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz over his suspension.

Meanwhile, the DAP leader said Khir should be accorded the privileges, salary and allowances that he is entitled to so that he can continue to serve his constituents.

"The trend towards suspension of allowances and privileges must not be allowed to continue.

"Threatened with the prospect of this, many assemblypersons, especially those who are full time politicians will no longer feel free to speak their mind for fear of action being taken against them with such consequences," he added.

Khir has vowed to challenge the suspension and would consult his lawyers over the matter.