3 min NewsWatch: Lies & transgression against Standing Orders in the appointment of new Dewan Rakyat Speaker
The Pakatan Harapan (PH) government’s appointment of retired Court of Appeal judge, Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof as the new Dewan Rakyat Speaker had caused the Opposition to denounce the government for violating the Standing Orders of the Parliament.
Why would the Opposition say this?
According to Standing Order 4(1), the nominated name for the Speaker must be submitted in writing to the Dewan Rakyat Secretary 14 days before the first Parliamentary sitting.
The current Parliament first convened on July 16th. Taking into consideration the 14 days, the latest the nominated Speaker’s name must be submitted is July 2nd.
Although Dewan Rakyat Secretary Datuk Roosme Hamzah claimed that that she had received on July 2nd a letter from the Prime Minister on Mohamad Ariff’s appointment, examining the announcements from the PH leadership reveal that, days after July 2nd, they were still openly undecided on their Speaker candidate, exhibiting clear contradictions amidst their ranks.
July 9th, 2018: PH Chief Secretary Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah disclosed that the names of the candidates for the post of Speaker has been shortlisted and will be finalised by the PH top leadership.
July 10th, 2018: Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Dr Wan Azizah said that the top leadership had a meeting and decided upon one single candidate.
If PH had submitted the name of their Speaker candidate before the deadline of July 2nd, why did they hold a meeting long after to discuss the candidacy for the post of Speaker?
Moreover, Mohammad Ariff himself revealed that he had not received any letter of appointment on July 14th. Yet, during the swearing-in, he claimed that he had been notified about his impending succession as the next Speaker at the end of June. Another clear-cut contradiction.
By now, it is evident that PH had failed to submit the name of their Speaker candidate by July 2nd, and Mohammad Ariff only acquired his appointment letter after July 14th. It was not until July 15th, 2018, that Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir finally confirmed the ex-judge as the sole candidate as Speaker.
The process at which PH appointed their Speaker assuredly violates the Standing Orders. At the same time, it exposes PH leaders as liars.
MCA Deputy President Datuk Seri Dr Ir Wee Ka Siong asserted that he is not disputing PH’s choice for Speaker, but rather the government’s disregard for protocol.
The Parliament is the highest legislative body of government, yet PH has transgressed its rules. This sets a bad precedent and does not fit into their slogan of reforming governance.
-MCA online-
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