AZALINA Othman Said was appointed deputy speaker of the Dewan Rakyat without vote, replacing Nga Kor Ming who resigned from the post earlier today. 

The motion for the Pengerang MP’s appointment was tabled by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. 

The Pagoh MP also retracted his motion to have Nga replaced as Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker, after the latter resigned before the motion could be moved. 

Meanwhile, Gobind Singh Deo (Puchong-PH) said since the position fell vacant today following Nga’s resignation, the opposition should be given an opportunity to name a candidate. 

In response to this, newly appointed Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun said the Dewan Rakyat Standing Order 4(1) does not stipulate that a nomination can only be made after the seat falls vacant.

He added that nominations have to be made to the Parliament secretary, 14 days before the sitting. 

“Before this, there was one nomination from the prime minister’s side, but the opposition did not nominate anyone,” he ruled. 

Azhar added that the opposition has indicated previously it will continue to throw its support for Nga, presumed to be the opposition’s candidate of choice. 

Muhyiddin’s motion for Azalina’s appointment was backed by Mohamed Azmin Ali (Gombak-Bersatu). 

The decision to install Azhar as speaker was also met with derision by the opposition bench, which had expected the matter to be put to a vote.

At a press conference in the Parliament lobby, Nga, who is also Teluk Intan MP, said he resigned in solidarity with Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof, who was earlier today removed as the speaker after a motion to have him vacate the post was passed. – July 13, 2020.