The Perak legislative assembly has rejected a written question on whether 1MDB issues were raised by the National Finance Council, which the state government is a party to.

According to the speaker's office, the question was rejected on grounds that it was an issue related to the federal government, which was in violation of Standing Order 20(1).

This was informed to Malim Nawar state assemblyperson Leong Cheok Keng, who also was Perak's representative in the council.

When contacted, Leong ( photo ) said that the reason given by the speaker's office was unacceptable.

"I disagree with the decision as Article 108 of the federal constitution, which deals with matters concerning the council, talks about powers of the state," said Leong.

On Wednesday, Leong had asked Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir if Perak's representative had discussed 1MDB's loans during the National Finance Council meetings.

Leong, during his speech at the Perak legislative assembly sitting, argued that Article 108(4)(c) of the Federal Constitution stipulated that every state must be consulted on the annual loan requirements of the federation and states, as well as the exercise of their borrowing powers.

He explained that states have limited ways of securing revenue and rely on Putrajaya for grants. Thus, Article 108(4)(c) was designed to ensure that states had a say in Putrajaya's financial matters.

A lawyer specialising in the constitution told Malaysiakini that in the event the National Finance Council had not been consulted over 1MDB's loans, in view of the fact that it was a massive amount loaned by a 100 percent-owned entity of the Finance Ministry, the loan should be considered null and void.