A DAP lawmaker has urged Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to back his motion to challenge the Dewan Rakyat speaker's decision to bar questions on 1MDB's legal issues in the United States.

In a press release today, Gobind Singh Deo said Najib should recognise that Parliament was the best platform for him to clear the air on Putrajaya's handling of the 1MDB saga.

"(A debate) will enable questions to be raised and answers over the extent to which monies belonging to 1MDB have been used and the role played by certain individuals if any, including 'Malaysian Official 1', in the process.

"The prime minister should take full advantage of this opportunity.

"With the benefit of the entire government machinery behind him and the floor of the House, where else can the prime minister be better equipped to explain this issue to the people but Parliament?" added the Puchong MP.

On Monday, speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia had barred questions related to the US Department of Justice (DOJ) civil suit involving the alleged misappropriation of 1MDB funds.

This caused an uproar in the Dewan Rakyat as the opposition bench argued that parliamentary rules do not apply to foreign courts, a position supported by legal experts.

Following this, Pandikar explained that his ruling had considered the fact that Dewan Rakyat records could be used in American courts.

"What the minister said here can be quoted in the American trial. In my opinion, this can influence the trial," he said.

Yesterday, Gobind filed a motion to review Pandikar's decision. If it is heard, Pandikar's decision would be up for debate before a ruling can be made.

Gobind said the matter at hand was extremely serious and Najib’s continued refusal to discuss it in the Dewan Rakyat would reflect on him badly locally and abroad.

"He should therefore, under the circumstances, as prime minister, step up and support (my) motion," he added.