THE Penang legislative assembly today swore in its 40 members, including returning speaker Law Choo Kiang of PKR.

Law, who was not fielded in the 14th general election, was previously the Bukit Tambun assemblyman. He is starting his second term as the speaker after his sole nomination by the state government.

Thankfully, he quipped, his appointment did not provoke a walkout by the opposition 

He was referring to a walkout by Barisan Nasional and PAS MPs in the Dewan Rakyat last month over the appointment of speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof. 

Law today swore to serve as speaker to the best of his abilities, defend the state constitution and ensure compliance with the Standing Orders of the House.

He advised the elected reps to participate in debates at the sitting and discuss issues faced by the people.

“I also congratulate all the assemblymen who have been elected. I hope everyone will follow the Standing Orders and fulfil your duties with discipline and integrity, regardless of your political differences.

“Lawan tetap lawan, kawan tetap kawan, dewan tetap dewan (Rivals will be rivals, friends will be friends, the House is the House),” he said to much mirth.

Of the 40 seats, 37 are Pakatan Harapan. DAP holds the most seats at 19, followed by PKR at 14, and Bersatu and Amanah, with two seats each. BN has two seats and PAS holds one.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and the 10 exco members were sworn in after Law, followed by the rest of the assemblymen, including Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng and Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

Lim, Air Putih assemblyman and former Penang chief minister, and Saifuddin, who is Pantai Jerejak assemblyman, were assigned front row seats next to the exco lineup. Lim is the DAP secretary-general and Saifuddin is his PKR counterpart 

Twenty-six assemblymen are serving their first terms, including veteran politician Saifuddin, who had won a state seat for the first time.

BN’s Sungai Dua rep Muhamad Yusoff Mohd Noor, who is the most senior assemblyman in the opposition, has taken the opposition leader’s seat in the House.

The other two opposition – Permatang Berangan rep Nor Hafizah Othman and Penaga rep Yusni Mat Piah, both of BN – are first-term assemblymen. – August 2, 2018.