ALOR STAR – PKR veteran Datuk Johari Abdul has confirmed his resignation as Gurun assemblyman in Kedah with immediate effect.
It is believed that the move is in light of his possible appointment as the new speaker of the Dewan Rakyat when the first session of the 15th Parliament convenes tomorrow.
In a video shared widely, Johari, who was state opposition leader in the assembly, said he formally tendered his resignation as a state representative on December 13 via a letter sent to Kedah Speaker Datuk Juhari Bulat.
Efforts are underway to contact Juhari and Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor for comments on the matter.
As the current state assembly term expires around July, it is believed that there is no need to call for a by-election for the seat.
Presently, of the 36 state seats, Perikatan Nasional components PAS and Bersatu hold 21 seats, Pakatan Harapan (minus Johari) holds nine, while Gerakan Tanah Air and Barisan Nasional occupy two each, and one seat is under an independent.
Sanusi is hoping to call for an early state election in view of PN’s impressive victory in the 15th general election on the “green wave”, which saw the coalition win 14 of the 15 parliamentary seats in the state.
The remaining parliamentary seat, Sg Petani, was won by Johari himself.
Johari is seen as a potential speaker due to his vast experience in dealing with various elected representatives in his political career since 2008.
PN has meanwhile nominated former lawyer Tan Sri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad as its candidate for the speaker’s seat.
It is learnt that there is a possibility that Johari will be made speaker while Radzi will be one of his deputies, with the other deputy slot assigned to a female MP. – The Vibes, December 18, 2022
