Speaker's office issues statement regarding false comments to media

The Speaker of Parliament’s office issues the following statement regarding misinformation and self-promotion by MP Abdulsatar Majeed to media outlets and on social media, in which he stated that the Speaker of Parliament Dr. Rewas Faiq asked him to provide written evidence regarding the KRG’s 21% cut to government employees' salaries:

The Speaker corresponded in writing regarding the salaries cut with the KRG Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance and Economy, and this was announced to the media. The Speaker has not even spoken by phone with Abdulsatar Majeed, because we conduct our work officially in writing and according to procedures.

The contents of the Speaker’s correspondence with the Council of Ministers followed Parliament’s Internal Rules of Procedure. The Speaker’s correspondence did not express her personal opinion or mention individuals.

The Speaker would not allow herself to write a letter containing errors or that is against Parliament’s Internal Rules of Procedure purely to satisfy others, and even if she were to do so the letter would be formally rejected and returned by the Council of Ministers.

Rather than making accusations and promoting himself, Abdulsatar Majeed should conduct his work through official correspondence, as per Parliament’s Internal Rules of Procedure. All MPs as well as the Speaker must carry out their responsibilities within that framework.

3 September 2020