Chief Justice Ian Chang on Friday ruled that Parliamentarian Clement Rohee can speak in the House, effectively striking down opposition efforts to gag the Home Affairs Minister.
He said that was a matter of pure law as Rohee has a right to speak on behalf of the people whom he was elected to represent.
Chang, in his ruling, said the emphasis by the Opposition in a non-confidence motion appeared to be on Rohee as Home Affairs Minister.
However, Rohee was constitutionally an elected member of the National Assembly and was entitled to speak and his ministerial portfolio was immaterial.
Excerpts from demwaves