KUALA LUMPUR – Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan has withdrawn his candidacy for the post of Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker.
He tweeted that he has informed the party’s president and vice-presidents, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, of his decision.
“I need time to focus on my duties as Umno sec-gen and continue to speak up in Parliament. I informed the minister and speaker today of my decision.”
Smlm Rabu 6/10/21,
— Ahmad b Maslan (@ahmadmaslan) October 7, 2021
saya telah maklumkan Presiden #UMNO, Timb, 3 Naib Presiden termasuk YAB PM yg saya menarik diri drpd dicalon Timb Speaker #DewanRakyat
Saya perlu masa tumpu kpd tugas SU Agung #UMNO & terus bersuara di #Parlimen
Hari ini saya maklumkan kpd Menteri & Speaker. pic.twitter.com/VJ7qNG6ciF
The Pontian MP was nominated as the sole candidate for the position early last month.
This drew criticism as Ahmad was facing a RM2 million money-laundering case, prompting comments that he was unfit for the post.
He was acquitted last Thursday after agreeing to settle a RM1.1 million compound.
The post was left vacant when Pengerang MP Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said resigned in late August, as she expressed hope that the current government and opposition would reset the lower house.
On September 15, Azalina was appointed caretaker deputy speaker on an interim basis.
She took the House by surprise that afternoon when she moved to the speaker’s chair to oversee proceedings.
Meanwhile, Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will not support any proposal to amend the constitution for the purpose of creating another deputy speaker’s post.
He said the PN supreme council is of the view that having two deputy speakers, as stipulated in Article 57(1)(b) of the constitution, is enough to ensure the smooth running of Dewan Rakyat meetings.
In addition, Article 57(3) allows any member of the House to chair a sitting in the absence of the speaker and deputy speakers, he said.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the election of the deputy speaker to fill the post vacated by Azalina has been postponed.
He said this is to enable Article 57 (1)(b) of the constitution to be amended to increase the number of deputy speakers from the current two to three. – The Vibes, October 7, 2021
