KUALA LUMPUR – As calls continue for Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun to step down as Dewan Rakyat speaker, his deputy said the Parliament will send out the Order Paper this week, but priority will still be on government business.
Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon said motions, such as a vote of confidence or to vacate the speaker’s post, will be made known this week.
Parliament will issue Order Papers for the Dewan Rakyat to announce if those motions are on the agenda when the House convenes next week or otherwise, he was quoted as saying by Utusan Malaysia.
“We are still accepting motions and they can be sent at any time. But if there is a proposal from the government, it will come first.”
Meanwhile, another name was floated to replace former deputy Dewan Rakyat speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
Utusan quoted a source as saying that Azhar might get to keep his job but Umno’s Pontian MP Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan will replace Azalina.
The source said the proposal has been agreed upon by the Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Barisan Nasional (BN) coalitions.
“Azhar will stay and Ahmad Maslan will replace Azalina. That’s the proposal for now. But there might be names put forth by the opposition.”
Motions to remove Azhar as speaker were filed by at least two MPs – Pulai MP Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub and Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil.
However, their applications were rejected by Rashid.
Fahmi revealed the same happened to Salahuddin, although it appears that the latter may have complied with the necessary Dewan Rakyat Standing Orders.
Fahmi said that his motion was rejected as it was “not preceded by a notifier under Standing Order 27”.
“However, when Salahuddin filed a similar motion under Standing Order 27, Rashid said it was not accurate.
“So, which one is it? Good game and well played,” Fahmi tweeted.
Meanwhile, Azalina had been rumoured to replace Azhar as speaker but she herself remained mum when asked.
The former deputy speaker told The Vibes that she did not want to comment on the matter.
Malaysiakini last week quoted a source as saying Umno is of the view that it should have control over the speaker’s position, and that Azalina is the right candidate for the job.
It said two Supreme Council members have confirmed that plans to nominate Azalina are under way, and that party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will submit a motion on it.
Contacted by The Vibes, Zahid said it is best to get the details from Ahmad.
“Please ask my secretary-general Ahmad Maslan for more details.”
He did not confirm whether a motion had been sent to Azhar seeking a change in the post holder.
Ahmad did not address questions about the speculation on Azalina.
Azhar told The Vibes that he is not at liberty to speak to the media on the issue.
Similarly, Rashid refused to divulge details.
“This is insider information in Parliament. Are you an MP? I can’t reveal it to the media,” he had told The Vibes.
“This is not a media statement. This is business between the speaker and MPs. I’m sorry.” – The Vibes, September 7, 2021
