KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun will leave it to the discretion of newly minted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to decide if he will keep the position of Dewan Rakyat speaker.
An unpopular figure among the opposition and public, Azhar was quoted by Utusan Malaysia as saying that he will carry out his duties as usual when Parliament reconvenes next month, granted his services are still required.
“I became the speaker by virtue of the majority of the Dewan Rakyat. It is up to the prime minister, who commands the majority of the House now, to decide (my position),” he was quoted as saying.
Azhar, who was appointed by former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in July last year, has been the subject of severe criticism by the opposition bench for his handling of the August House.
In particular, he was lambasted for supposedly defending Muhyiddin on a number of occasions, when the prime minister was on his last legs.
These include limiting the proceedings of the special sitting last month and for failing to protect the rights of parliamentarians by allowing a police blockade near Parliament earlier this month.
Pakatan Harapan has on multiple occasions called for his resignation.
Speaking to the Malay daily, Azhar denied working only under the order of the former prime minister, insisting that he has done his duties to the best of his ability in line with the law.
“All this while, I have been performing my responsibilities according to the parliamentary Standing Orders and federal constitution. I deny any allegation that I have been unfair to certain parties.
“In fact, I believe justice must also be given to me as a speaker,” he said.
Meanwhile, lawyer and Muda vice-president Lim Wei Jiet slammed Azhar’s comments, saying that the decision to keep the speaker is up to the MPs.
“Why is the head of legislature openly submitting himself to the mercy of the executive? It is the MPs who should determine whether he continues to be speaker.
“Subservient until the very end. I feel so sad on the way this honourable office has been emasculated.” – The Vibes, August 27, 2021
