KUALA LUMPUR: Anybody can talk about the US Department of Justice’s (DoJ) civil action against 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) – except in Parliament, says Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan (pic).

“Of course, you can talk about it outside. Go ahead, we have been listening to it anyway,” said the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tuesday, adding that there were no laws preventing people from talking it.

The Kota Belud MP noted that prominent figures like Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal had been talking about it “for a long time”.

“But when you go to Parliament, there are specific rules and regulations.

“When the Speaker (Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia) said it was sub judice, then we respect it. But that doesn’t mean you can’t speak about it elsewhere,” he said.

On Dr Mahathir’s claims that Pandikar was biased towards the Government, Abdul Rahman said the Speaker was just doing his job.

“He is there to ensure that the debate happens fairly and follows protocol.

“When you are not being a gentleman, make noise, disobey the Standing Order, then they will deal with you, it’s as simple as that,” he said.-thestar