FIVE opposition lawmakers, led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad, are challenging the appointments of Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun and deputy speaker Azalina Othman Said.

In an originating summons filed today, they claimed the appointments made on July 13 were invalid as they are unconstitutional and breached the Dewan Rakyat Standing Orders.

In a statement issued by the legal firm representing the five, Law Practice of Rafique, they claimed that proper procedures were not followed in the appointments. 

They added that a 14-day notice must be given for MPs to propose names once the positions of speaker and deputy speaker are vacant. 

They also said the appointments must go through a process of nomination and debate, and be put to vote in order to be complete and legal.

Apart from Dr Mahathir, who is Langkawi MP, the other four plaintiffs are Mukhriz Mahathir (Jerlun), Maszlee Malik (Simpang Renggam), Amiruddin Hamzah (Kubang Pasu ) and Shahruddin Md Salleh (Sri Gading). 

Azhar, Azalina, deputy speaker Mohd Rashid Hasnon and Dewan Rakyat secretary Nizam Mydin Bacha Mydin were named as defendants.

On July 13, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s motion to remove the Pakatan Harapan-appointed speaker, Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof was passed narrowly, with 111 government MPs in support and 109 from PH against it.

Azhar was then appointed as the new speaker without a vote. 

At the same time, Azalina was voted in to replace Nga Kor Ming, who resigned earlier in the day in solidarity with Ariff. 

In another development, Rashid said in a statement that it was up to the five MPs to act within the law to challenge the appointments.

He also said that he had not received the court documents yet, and would allow the legal process to proceed. – July 23, 2020.