No need for vote if there is only one candidate, says new speaker

Mohd Farhan Darwis Mohd Farhan Darwis Updated 3 years ago · Published on 13 Jul 2020 5:22PM · 5 Comments

Azhar Azizan Harun says a vote is not necessary if there is only one candidate for the position of house speaker. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, July 13, 2020.

DEFENDING his appointment as the Dewan Rakyat speaker, Azhar Azizan Harun said there was no need for a vote as he was the sole candidate named for the post.

The former Election Commission chief added that the appointment was in accordance with the standing orders of the Dewan Rakyat.

“According to the standing orders, no voting is required. If there was only one candidate, then the person could be appointed as speaker or deputy speaker,” he added.

Azhar said he was the only candidate as the opposition did not name anyone else.

“They did not nominate anyone. As a lawyer who knows something about the law, voting is not required if there is only a single candidate,” he added.

He said the government had offered him the post before nomination day for the Chini by-election. 

“My family and I are proud. This is challenging, but I am able to serve the country through this way.

“We will try to control the Dewan Rakyat. It is my and the deputy Speaker’s duty, and we will try to defend the standing orders,” Azhar said.

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

Azhar replaces Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof, who was removed by the House earlier today by a razor thin 2-vote margin.

The motion for Ariff to vacate the post was passed 111 to 109, out of 222 MPs in the house.

Similarly, Azalina Othman Said was also appointed deputy speaker of the Dewan Rakyat without vote.

She replaced Nga Kor Ming, who resigned from the post earlier today. – July 13, 2020.

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Comments

  • When there is an incumbent speaker who has not resigned, by what kampong logic of yours is an election not required?
    You may be a lawyer, but you may not necessarily be perceived to be either an honest or a credible lawyer.
    The right thinking public feel that your actions today were both disgraceful and self serving.

    Posted 3 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

    • If the sitting Speaker open the Parliament? You have to remove the sitting Speaker by a vote first before you can nominate a new Speaker by the House, not by the PM alone!. Why not, jump on the fat gravy train! Everyone does.

      Posted 3 years ago by Tong King Kong · Reply

  • Art Harun has lost the respect of civil society by accepting the job.

    Posted 3 years ago by T E · Reply

    • Mana Maruah??

      Posted 3 years ago by Tong King Kong · Reply

    • Mana Maruah??

      Posted 3 years ago by Tong King Kong · Reply