Opposition MPs walk out over choice of speaker

Kamles Kumar Kamles Kumar Updated 5 years ago · Published on 16 Jul 2018 10:55AM · 3 Comments

BARISAN Nasional lawmakers walked out of chamber in protest over the appointment of Speaker Mohd Ariff Md Yusof.

Opposition leader Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (BN-Bagan Datuk) said they disapproved over the way the Pakatan Harapan government announced its choice of speaker.

“It is the method we disapprove,” he said in a press conference today. 

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the party opposed the choice of speaker because it goes against the standing order. 

“There needs to be a 14-day notice for the speaker to be named before the Dewan Rakyat convenes,” he said.

Despite the protest, the house continued with its meeting and elected Ariff as the new speaker.

The oath-taking is in progress.

The only BN lawmakers to remain in the house were former ministers, Khairy Jamaluddin (Rembau) and Anifah Aman (Kimanis), and Labuan MP Rozman Isli.

Former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman Said urged Parliament to be postponed by 14 days so that the speaker’s name could be submitted properly. 

“We want to help them postpone so they could resubmit the name. We ask for 14 days to resubmit,” she said. 

The Pengerang MP also said they would discuss with Ariff on the next course of action. 

Meanwhile, Takiyuddin (Kota Baru) said if all else fails, they would amount a legal challenge as it goes against the constitution. 

“This brings shame to the country, the whole world is watching us. We will take this to court,” he said. 

According to 4 (1) of the Standing Order, the potential speaker should inform the parliamentary secretary 14 days before the Dewan Rakyat sits. – July 16, 2018.   

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Comments

  • Small minded Umno and PAS. Trivial issues is their battle cries actions as opposition. Expected that this front is fully devoide of intelligence. No surprise to be disapointed!!!. Sure to be "telan kaw kaw" by PH. Malaysia needs a new coalition front to be a competitor to PH.

    Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Umno & PAS walkout brings actual shame for the voters, honestly speaking. Such a trivial thing to be that particular of. It hastens the diminishing credibility of BeEnd and accelerates their journey to obilvion.

    Posted 5 years ago by Ryan Li · Reply

  • To show how stupid they are. Why such a small thing became an issue?. There are many national issues they should be concerned about. These people just want to show their arrogance and never in their mind and agenda to serve the interest people but rather to fill their own pocket. Syabas KJ and AA for your stand!

    Posted 5 years ago by Leng Kapri As Saribasi · Reply