THE election of the Dewan Rakyat speaker will be first on the agenda when parliament convenes on December 19 for two days. 

According to Dewan Rakyat secretary Nizam Mydin Bacha Mydin, this will be followed by the swearing-in of the newly elected MPs.

The MPs will then vote to replace current Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun.

Azhar was appointed speaker in July 2020, with much furore in the lower house during former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration. 

Also on the agenda is a motion of confidence for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. 

This is to be followed by government bills and businesses.

On Monday, the Pakatan Harapan chairman reiterated that he will face a vote of confidence to prove he has the backing of the House and to address questions of the government’s legitimacy.

Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh from DAP had said it was unnecessary for Anwar to do so because he clearly had the support of more than 140 MPs. 

The Tambun MP, however, said Ramkarpal has interpreted it based on the Federal Constitution, because there is a clear majority.

“This is not just about the constitutional requirements. We also have to consider the legitimacy from the political aspect, so we will still proceed with the motion of confidence on December 19,” said Anwar.

The new prime minister, who has formed a unity government that includes Barisan Nasional, is expected to name his cabinet tomorrow.

Perikatan Nasional is the main opposition pact in parliament. – December 1, 2022.