PETALING JAYA: It is up to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to decide if the Speaker remains for the upcoming Dewan Rakyat sitting in September, says Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun.

       The Dewan Rakyat Speaker said that he would resume his duties at the Sept 6 sitting of the august House if Ismail Sabri decides so.

       "I became the Speaker by virtue of the majority of Parliament. It is up to the prime minister leading the current majority in the House to decide (on the speaker)," he said.

       Azhar said that during his tenure as the Speaker, he had carried out his responsibilities according to Parliamentary Standing Orders and the Federal Constitution.

       "I deny all allegations that I have acted unfairly towards any parties. In fact, I feel that justice must also be given to me as the Speaker,” he told Malay news daily Utusan Malaysia.

       Azhar was appointed as the Speaker last July by former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

       Azhar replaced Tan Sri Mohd Ariff Md Yusof, who served as the Speaker during the previous Pakatan Harapan administration.

       On Monday (Aug 23), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said confirmed her resignation as the Deputy Speaker, citing a conflict of roles and responsibilities between being an Umno supreme council member and an MP in the ruling coalition.

       Batu Pahat MP Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon is presently the other Deputy Speaker.

       The upcoming Dewan Rakyat meeting is set for 15 days and will be officiated by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Sept 6.