Veteran opposition politician Karpal Singh today sought to refer Internal Security Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to the parliamentary committee of privileges for allegedly misleading the Dewan Rakyat.

Karpal (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) referred to Standing Order 36(12) which states that any MP who misleads the Dewan Rakyat can be referred to the committee.

He claimed that Abdullah, who is also prime minister, misled the Dewan by giving an inaccurate answer to a question posed by him last week.

Last Thursday, Abdullah, in a parliamentary written reply, said the perpetrators in the murder of former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Abdul Rahman Hashim have been charged in court and sentenced to death.

He added that they were also involved in the murder of former Perak police chief Khoo Chong Kong.

He was responding to a query from Karpal who asked the internal security minister to state why the murder of Abdul Rahman in broad daylight in Kuala Lumpur in 1974 has yet to be resolved.

Karpal, a prominent lawyer, argued that Abdullah was wrong to say that those convicted in Khoo's case were also involved in Abdul Rahman's case.

"Before he was hanged, my client Lim, whom I defended in Khoo's case, told me that he was not involved in Abdul Rahman's murder," he said, adding that after further appeals Lim was acquitted and discharged from Abdul Rahman's murder case.

"This clearly means that Abdullah has misled the Parliament by giving a wrong answer," he said.

'14 days in advance'

Speaker Ramli Ngah Talib shot down Karpal's request citing provisions from the standing order that states that one needs to submit a motion 14 days in advance before referring a person to the Committee of Privileges.

"As it has not been 14 days, this matter could not be raised yet," he said, despite Karpal's explanation that the matter needs serious attention.

On that note, Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Bandar Kuching) stood up and said that the Speaker was wrong in saying that a motion needs to be moved 14 days in advance.

"We do not need to wait for 14 days as it clearly states that the matter could be raised as it happens. Please reconsider your decision," said Chong.

However, Ramli did not change his decision.