ARIFF Md Yusof’s first day as Dewan Rakyat speaker was marred by controversy but the former Court of Appeals judge appeared to have taken it all in stride.

The 69-year-old’s swearing-in ceremony had been tainted by opposition lawmakers, led by Barisan Nasional president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, walking out in protest. 

They said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad did not give the required 14-day notice to the Parliament secretary on Ariff’s nomination, adding the move went against Pakatan Harapan’s election manifesto, which pledged that a sitting MP would made speaker. 

Despite the drama, Ariff kept his composure and was sworn in as the 9th speaker of the august house. 

He briefly addressed the lawmakers and then proceeded to join Dr Mahathir and Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. 

He later spoke to the media. The following are excerpts from his interview: 

Q: Will there be reforms in Parliament?  

A: Give me some time. This is my first day, essentially. But certainly, reform is on the agenda. I have to look at what has been reformed thus far. There’s been a lot, so I need to look at it and see how we can improve further.

Q: On the walkouts, will any action be taken against the opposition lawmakers? 

A: I do not know but think it has been resolved. This is the new Malaysia. We believe in democratic rights and freedom of expression and speech.

Q: Was your name submitted on July 2? 

A: It has been confirmed by setiausaha (Parliament secretary) so that puts the matter to rest.

Q: Will the media ban in the Parliament lobby be lifted?

A: I’m looking into it. In fact, I’m having a meeting today with the minister (Communications and Mutimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo).

Q: Will the opposition leader have ministerial privileges?

A: If you look at the manifesto, we will see. If you look at the manifesto, I think it’s somewhere there.

Q: Has the opposition met you yet to air their grouses?

A: Many in the opposition are my friends. I just met a few along the corridor. They are arranging it (formally), some of them.

Q: Did you let go of your posts in Amanah and why?

A: I have; the speaker needs to be impartial. I think on July 26 or July 28, or even earlier, I will let go (of my posts).

Q: Will the Public Accounts Committee chief be from the opposition? 

A: You wait and see. These are things we have to discuss. I cannot simply decide this on my own. We’ll discuss it and see how to improve parliamentary procedures and performance. The goal is to have a better Parliament. If you ask me whether we’re gonna have this or that, it’s a bit difficult for me to say as of now. But that’s the vision.

Q: What are the short-term measures to ensure parliamentary democracy is upheld? 

A: You saw it. We allow people to speak and say what they want. But this is the first day. We’ll see how it goes. But I have said in the speech that I’m hoping for a greater advancement in the style of parliamentary democracy because Parliament is such an important institution. 

People talk about the judiciary but Parliament is important. After all, it is the system we have. So, you have to build on that principle. We’ll see how we can improve together. 

It is not only the speaker’s job or the MPs’ job or the ministers’ job. I think we should do it together. – July 16, 2018.