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We propose that the House refer the matter of mileage claims to Parliamentary Select Committee instead of letting the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) take over the investigation   Press Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw (Kuala Lumpur, Wednesday): Last week, parliamentary secretary in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Noh Omar listed 14 MPs with claims exceeding RM10,000 a month. The media have had a field day. Lim Kit Siang asserts that there should be a distinction into “meeting” and “non-meeting” claims and that the Committee of Privileges should conduct its own investigations.  This matter arouses public concern. Sure, the people elect MPs to fulfill certain functions such as scrutiny of legislations and national revenue. MPs should not go for irregular claims or rort.  As Kit Siang has pointed out, claiming for the cost of a room in a five-star hotel, the fare of a limousine taxi, and other allowances add up to a big sum. Then, there are claims during parliamentary sessions of about four months a year and those between the sessions.  Why should we refer the matter to the select committee? Parliamentary democracy means the separation of powers namely, the legislature (Parliament), the executive and the judiciary. Parliamentary Standing Order 76 (1) states: There shall be a Committee to be known as the Committee of Selection appointed at the beginning of every Parliament to perform the functions allotted to it by these Standing Orders, and for such other matters as the House may from time to time refer to it.  On 30 September, 2003, the ACA investigations director Datuk Nordin Ismail said that he would interview the 14 MPs and that he had gone through some documents which listed their claims from Parliament’s finance division. There are claims in all the ministries. Are there rorting?  It is the duty of the House to discipline its members if they breach the Standing Orders. Hitherto, it has not investigated the matter. Is Parliament not capable of enquiring into the matter? (1/10/2003) * Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice Chairman & MP for Kepong