IT is Perikatan Nasional’s right to replace Dewan Rakyat Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof,  said law minister Takiyuddin Hassan. 

“Although, this is the first time the Dewan Rakyat speaker is replaced, it’s not illegal as it’s based on the federal constitution and Parliament’s standing orders,” said the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in Parliament today.

Takiyuddin (Kota Baru-PAS) said article 57(2c) of the federal constitution states that the speaker can be changed under three circumstances.

“He can be changed when Parliament sits for the first time after elections. The speaker can be changed when he stops being an MP.

“And finally, he can be changed when the House decides so,” said the PAS secretary-general.

He said the government was not sacking Ariff, but when the government has changed hands, it had the right to appoint different people.

“After the change of government, we made an assessment and decided that Ariff does not fulfil our criteria or fit into the government’s agenda,” said Takiyuddin.

He said the motion to ask Ariff to vacate the post was in accordance to law.

“Moreover, the speaker himself has accepted the motion to be tabled,” he said. 

Takiyuddin was replying to points raised during the debate to remove Ariff from  his position.

Former Election Commission chairman Azhar Azizan Harun is expected to replace Ariff. The 57-year-old lawyer has already resigned from EC last week.

The motion to nominate Azhar will be tabled after the lunch break.

Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Nga Kor Ming (Teluk Intan-PH) will also be replaced. Umno’s Azalina Othman Said (Pengerang-BN) is slated to take the post.

During the debates, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim (Port Dickson-PH) questioned the government’s motives to remove Ariff.

“This is historic as the only time speakers were replaced was when they died in office in 1977 and 1980.

“This hasn’t happened here and Ariff has done a very good job by starting select committees, a caucus on governance and many other improvements.

“As such, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin should explain to Parliament why Ariff should be replaced,” said Anwar.

Although Muhyiddin was present throughout the debates, he did not answer any of the queries leaving it to backbenchers such as Nik Muhammad Zawawi (Pasir Puteh-PAS) and Shahidan Kassim (Arau-BN).

But neither of them stated what were Ariff’s faults and stuck to the government answer of it being their right to change the Parliament speaker.

“The person (Muhyiddin) who tabled the motion should have the courage to answer us in Parliament,” said Anwar.

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad (Langkawi-Ind) also questioned the government’s motives for changing the speaker.

“The reason given for the change, which is that there is another candidate, is unacceptable. The government should explain why Ariff should go.

“I too have a different nominee for the prime minister but…,” said Dr Mahathir before the 95-year-old MP was shouted down by Umno MPs led by Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (Baling-BN), Noh Omar (Tg Karang-BN) and Tajudin Abdul Rahman (Pasir Salak-BN).

After the debate, 111 MPs voted for the motion while 109 opposed.

Kota Marudu MP Maximus Ongkili was absent and Deputy Speaker Rashid Hasnon (Batu Pahat-Bersatu) abstained. – July 13, 2020.