Practise mature politics: Hasni over Puad’s ‘sangkar beruk’ remark

KUALA LUMPUR – Newly minted Johor Speaker Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi should not describe assemblymen as monkeys, even as a reminder.

Former Johor menteri besar Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad said Puad should practice mature politics after his appointment as state speaker.

“As speaker and member of the state assembly, he should give a guarantee that he will be fair and just. At the same time, he needs an action plan to strengthen the state’s democratic institutions in the near future,” said Hasni in a Facebook post today.

Hasni, who is also Benut rep, said the state speaker should carry out political reforms and strengthen the people’s trust in democratic institutions as well as politicians.

“This is more important than trading on ‘derogatory’ sentiments.”

Two days ago, Puad reminded Johor assemblymen to not treat the sittings like a “sangkar beruk” (cage of monkeys) and to put the people’s interests first.

“I would like to remind you that the House is a place for us to discuss and make decisions for the benefit of the people and the state of Johor. Do not defile this honourable House with bad attitude. This is the honourable House, not a ‘sangkar beruk’,” he was quoted as saying after being sworn in.

The Rengit assemblyman was appointed speaker for the Johor assembly at Bangunan Sultan Ismail, Kota Iskandar.

Puad, 64, was the only name proposed by Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi and he was seconded by Buloh Kasap rep and state exco member Datuk Zahari Sarip.

Puad, who is the Batu Pahat Umno chief, won the Rengit seat in last month’s state election with a majority of 1,930 votes, defeating Pejuang’s Nizam Bashir Abdul Kariem Bashir and former Senggarang assemblyman Khairuddin A. Rahim of PKR. – The Vibes, April 23, 2022