THERE are no grounds for S.A. Vigneswaran to remain Dewan Negara speaker, as it is common practice for political appointees to step down from their positions after a change in government, said DAP’s Lim Lip Eng.

The Kepong MP said Vigneswaran may proclaim impartiality but should still resign from his post in MIC.

“The MIC president can thump his chest and proclaim his impartiality, but we all know where his alignment and loyalty lie.

“If he insists on holding on to the speaker’s chair, then he should, as correctly shown by our new Dewan Rakyat speaker, resign from his position in MIC,” Lim said in a statement today.

He said once Vigneswaran stepped down, the Pakatan Harapan government could appoint a candidate of its choice.

“This is to make way for the federal government to appoint a candidate of its choice,” he said.

Vigneswaran was appointed speaker on April 26, 2016, under the previous administration. He was elected MIC president three days ago.

Meanwhile, Lim congratulated newly appointed Dewan Rakyat Speaker Ariff Md Yusof, who he described as having a “great sense of impartiality, being fair, no-nonsense and independent-minded”.

“Ariff gave up his posts in Amanah to be impartial and fair in discharging his duty.

“However, over at the Dewan Negara, we see the opposite. We have the speaker being elected MIC president.” 

Yesterday, opposition lawmakers walked out of a Parliament session in protest against Ariff’s appointment.

The lawmakers had accused the Pakatan Harapan government of not abiding by a 14-day notice to Parliament concerning the speaker’s nomination. – July 17, 2018.