PETALING JAYA: The new administration could consider an Opposition candidate to fill the current vacancy for the Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker’s position, says Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.
“We will see what is proposed by the other side (Opposition).
“It (proposed candidate) would be considered if the response is the same as how DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng responded to the offer to sit on the National Recovery Council,” said Shahidan.
The vacancy has arisen as Pengerang MP, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, resigned as Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker on Monday.
Azalina, who was among the Umno MPs who withdrew support for the previous administration, cited conflict of roles and responsibilities as MP in a ruling coalition, while also being a member of the Umno supreme council.
Azalina was appointed to the post to replace Deputy Speaker Nga Kor Ming, who resigned from the post in the wake of the removal of Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof as Speaker in July last year.
Shahidan, who is the Arau MP, said such a consideration would be in line with the “Malaysian Family” approach by newly minted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
In his maiden speech on Sunday, Ismail Sabri called on all Malaysians to work as one family for the recovery of the nation and in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
In an immediate response, Lim said the offer by Ismail would be considered provided it was not a token representation and a mere rubber stamp for the government’s views.
“The winner cannot take all and the loser should not lose all,” Lim tweeted on Sunday.
However, Shahidan said it was likely that the post of Deputy Speaker would be contested when Parliament meets on Sept 6.
“If there is a vacancy, then there has to be an election to fill it if there is more than one candidate. That is the procedure,” he said.
Shahidan noted that it is a usual practice for the ruling government to propose its candidate to Parliament, without a vote needed.
“It is for the Cabinet to decide on the candidate,” he said, adding that others may also propose their candidates for the post, and this will result in a ballot to be taken.
Meanwhile, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun confirmed yesterday that notices were given to lawmakers to pick their candidates.
He noted that if MPs nominate more than one candidate, the House would vote to decide.
“But if there is only one candidate, there will not be any voting required. The procedure is simple.
“Any MP can now nominate a candidate by giving a notice, preferably a 14-day-notice,” he said when contacted.
“If there is more than one, there will be voting by ballot but no debates,” he said, adding that the appointment of a new Deputy Speaker would be the first business at the very next sitting after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s royal address.