PAKATAN Harapan today expressed disappointment with the removal of Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof as the Dewan Rakyat speaker yesterday.

In a statement, PH said what was more regrettable was that only four MPs were allowed to debate a motion, with each individual being given 10 minutes.

“Ariff became the first speaker in the Commonwealth to be replaced in such a manner.

“To make matters worse, four individuals were allowed to speak and they were given 10 minutes. More time was needed to debate this motion.

“The manner to appoint a speaker should be more democratic. The 14 days’ notice issued by PH was not taken into account,” said PKR’s Saifuddin Nasution, Amanah’s Dr Hatta Ramli and DAP’s Anthony Loke.

Ariff was removed by the Perikatan Nasional government during yesterday’s parliamentary sitting through a motion brought by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

“In a normal situation after an election, a new government will appoint a speaker. What has happened now is unusual. I do not know of any other country (that has done this) except Trinidad and Tobago.

“They removed their speaker because of corruption. There is no other example. In the United Kingdom, for 800 years, not one speaker was ousted before his term ended. This should be the practice in a Commonwealth system,” he said.

PH described Perikatan Nasional’s aim as wanting to ensure Parliament falls under the direct order of the executive.

“As a legislative body, Parliament should be free from other elements.

“Yesterday was a black day for Malaysia’s history,” they added.

In a division vote, 111 MPs said aye and 109 in the opposition said nay to the removal of Ariff and his deputy, Nga Kor Ming.

Ariff was replaced by former Election Commission chairman Azhar Azizan Harun, while Nga was replaced by Azalina Othman Said. – July 14, 2020.