KUALA LUMPUR – After quitting as deputy Dewan Rakyat speaker, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said now wants the position given to the opposition, in a parliamentary reset that will ensure greater political bipartisanship.
The Pengerang MP, who has been an advocate for the recent mantra of inclusivity, said this can be done via a motion moved by the government bench when the Dewan Rakyat reconvenes next month, The Malaysian Insight reported.
It quoted Azalina as saying that her resignation on Monday will provide Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob the opportunity to appoint a non-government MP into the post.
“It’s so obvious (the reset). It should be replaced by an opposition member but the motion must be brought by the government. This is what I mean by multi-partisan politics,” she said at a forum organised by Asli and the Jeffrey Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia.
“This is achievable. If they do this and it is supported (by all), it will be fantastic for Malaysia’s parliamentary history.”
Azalina’s remark comes following a historic meeting between Ismail Sabri and Pakatan Harapan leaders – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Guan Eng, and Mohamad Sabu – in which they agreed to cooperate in strengthening the parliamentary institution, and for the government to function transparently in serving the rakyat.
In a joint statement between the four leaders, they mutually agreed to reduce the political temperature in line with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's decree.
“A joint agreement was reached to empower the function of Parliament as a more constructive and responsible institution in providing the necessary checks and balances against the executive for the sake of transparency and the people.
“We also agree and understand the importance of judiciary independence, institutional reforms, and good government practices to ensure a conducive environment for the people and country under the Keluarga Malaysia context.”
In the spirit of political cooperation, DAP lawmaker Hannah Yeoh yesterday suggested that Azalina has all the qualities required to helm three ministries at one go, including the highly coveted home minister’s post.
Yeoh said Ismail Sabri ought to consider Azalina to helm among the country’s most important portfolios as he finalises his cabinet line-up.
“I feel it will be good for the new prime minister to pick Azalina as the new home minister. And if he can’t, she has to be law or women minister.
“Preferably, if she can do all three, that will be wonderful. I believe she can,” Yeoh said in her Astro Awani interview, parts of which were uploaded on her Twitter account.
Azalina, in announcing her resignation as deputy speaker on Monday, had said this was to allow the current government and opposition to reset the lower house.
She also cited conflicts of interest between her responsibility as an Umno Supreme Council member and as an MP in the ruling coalition among the reasons she decided to relinquish her post.
Her resignation comes amid strong speculation that she will be given a position in the new cabinet, set to be announced soon. – The Vibes, August 26, 2021
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