PRIME Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has submitted a motion to replace Dewan Rakyat Speaker Mohamad Ariff Mohd Yusof and his deputy Nga Kor Ming, Malaysiakini reported today.

Nga confirmed the matter with the news portal, saying “this has been included in the agenda”.

He added that all motions submitted in accordance with parliamentary rules will be dealt with in a fair manner.

Batu Pahat MP Mohd Rashid Hasnon, who is the other deputy, is seemingly not affected.

Chinese daily Nanyang Siang Pau earlier reported that the prime minister will be tabling the motion on the first day of the upcoming Parliament sitting, which falls on July 13.

The Pagoh MP submitted the motion under Article 57(3) of the federal constitution, which states that in the absence of the Speaker, “one of the Deputy Speakers or, if both the Deputy Speakers are absent or if both their offices are vacant, such other member as may be determined by the rules of procedure of the House, shall act as Speaker”.

Nga, in elaborating further to the portal, said the motion to replace both the speaker and his deputy was unprecedented and went against parliamentary convention.

“According to parliamentary convention, a speaker’s position is typically made vacant in one of the following three circumstances – when Parliament is dissolved for a general election, when the speaker dies in office or when the speaker resigns,” he said, adding that none of these has happened.

The Teluk Intan MP also told the news portal that the motion was unusual, as it sought to replace both the speaker and his deputy immediately.

By convention, Nga said lawmakers are given 14 days to allow them to nominate a new speaker, when the post becomes vacant. If more than one candidate is proposed, they will decide through voting.

“Only the Dewan Rakyat has the power to dismiss the speaker and his deputy. Whatever the motion, whether it is to replace the speaker or freeze a parliamentary convention, it must be brought to the House for a vote.

“Our position is simple, we will respect the decision made by the Dewan Rakyat. If the house wants us to remain, we will remain. If it wants us to leave, we will leave. Everything will be done in accordance with the constitution and parliamentary rules,” he was quoted as saying by the news portal. – June 27, 2020.