Pengerang MP Azalina appointed deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker

KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 — Pengerang MP Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said has been named new deputy Speaker for Dewan Rakyat, with no other names nominated as an alternative.

The ruling was made by newly appointed Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun who replaced Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof earlier.

“Since only one candidate was nominated and seconded to fulfill the post, I hereby as the Dewan Rakyat Speaker, in accordance to the Standing Order 6 (2) declare Pengerang MP Azalina Othman Said as the new Deputy Speaker,” he said during the Parliament debate session.

The motion for Azalina’s appointment was tabled by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, but was later retracted after Teluk Intan MP Nga Kor Min resigned as deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker before the motion could be moved.

Azalina’s appointment has however received resistance with Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo indicating that the Opposition bloc should be given an opportunity to name a candidate since the position fell vacant today.

However, Azhar said nominations must be made 14 days before the Parliament sitting.

“Before this, there was one nomination made from the prime minister’s side, but the Opposition did not nominate anyone,” he said.

He also cited that the Opposition had indicated previously it would continue to throw its support behind Nga.

Earlier, Azhar’s appointment as Dewan Rakyat Speaker was also met with resistance from the Opposition bloc when the matter was decided without a vote.

Its leader PKR Port Dickson MP Anwar Ibrahim said that Muhyiddin did not provide justification for Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof’s removal as Dewan Rakyat Speaker.

Adding to this, former prime minister and independent Langkawi MP Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the decision was made without reason and simply because there are available candidates.

Related Articles Pakatan decries removal of former Dewan Rakyat Speaker Women lawmakers hope Deputy Speaker Azalina will put an end to sexism in Parliament Semak semula hansard, Azhar arah Abdul Azeez mohon maaf isu ‘gelap’