The Parliament has finally responded to Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo, who filed a lawsuit against the legislative institution for suspending him for a year.

Parliament secretary Roosme Hamzah filed a counter affidavit on Tuesday challenging Gobind's claim that his suspension is null and void.

The affidavit was also filed on behalf of Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz.

gobind singh deo jalan duta court 230409 07 In February, the DAP legislator was suspended without allowances and benefits following his outburst in the House against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

The debutant MP had allegedly linked Najib with the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu, and accused him of being a "murderer" in the process.

In the suit, Gobind asked that his suspension as a member of Parliament on March 16 to be declared null as well of having no effect and being unconstitutional.

Besides that, he demanded that the letter notifying him (Gobind) of his suspension, signed by Roosmee and the orders adverted in the letter to be declared unenforceable by law.

Gobind had also requested for a declaration to reinstate the remunerations and other benefits that are constitutionally granted to MPs under Article 64 of the Federal Constitution.

'It's under the purview of the House'

However, Roosme quoting past events when DAP MPs Karpal Singh (Bukit Gelugor) and Fong Po Kuan (Batu Gajah) were suspended for six months and denied the right to remunerations and other perks, stated that it was in the purview of the House to do so.

Citing Article 63 of the Federal Constitution, she added that the any proceedings in Parliament or decision of its committees cannot be questioned in court.

“According to the article and by the advice of the senior federal counsel, I believe that the actions of the plaintiff (Gobind) is without a basis and I appeal for his suit to be dismissed,” he stated.

Gobind took legal action following the decision by the Federal Court in April to allow a challenge by Barisan Nasional's Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abd Kadir and his exco members against their suspension from the Perak assembly by ousted speaker V Sivakumar.