Press Statement by V. Sivakumar in Ipoh on Tuesday, 27^th October 2009:

I have never sought the Court’s declaration that I am the legal Speaker

In response to the statement appearing in New Straits Times today by YB Zambry, I wish to clarify that I have never sought the Court’s declaration that I am the legal Speaker of the Perak State Assembly.

I have also held fast to the principle of Separation of Powers e.g. the Court cannot encroach on the powers of the legislature.

My earlier suit against Dato’ Ganesan was a civil suit claiming the Court’s injunction against him from further assaulting me and for damages for having instructing his agents to assault me on 7th May 2009 in the Dewan Undangan Negeri Perak.

Whilst it is true that my suit has been struck out (now under appeal to the Court of Appeal), the Court was not asked to comment on the legality of the appointment of Dato’ Ganesan as Mr. Speaker and if the Court had done so, it would be by way of an obiter, not being necessary for the subject matter of the suit.

* V. Sivakumar, ADUN Tronoh