PETALING JAYA: The more bipartisan approach agreed on by both sides of the political divide will be called upon in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Sept 14).

       A day after agreeing to this approach, lawmakers may have to cast their votes to elect a new Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker.

       The appointment of a new deputy speaker is listed as the first item in Parliament's Order Papers for Tuesday.

       Two names have been tipped for the post, namely Umno's Pontian MP Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan and DAP's Teluk Intan MP Nga Kor Ming.

       Based on Standing Order 6, the vacant deputy speaker post must be filled at the first convenient sitting of the House.

       It is usual for the government to propose a candidate for the post although any member of the House may nominate a candidate.

       If there is only one candidate, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun will announce the vacancy filled without the need for a contest.

       However, if there is more than one candidate, then Azhar will have to call for a vote.

       Based on past practices, the post of deputy speaker is rarely contested, with only one candidate proposed by the government.

       This will be the first instance the memorandum of understanding inked between the government and Opposition leaders for greater bipartisan cooperation on Monday (Sept 13), will be tested and to avoid a heated contest for the post.

       Both Ahmad and Nga had lobbied for support for the post prior to the start of Dewan Rakyat meeting Monday.

       The deputy speaker post became vacant on Aug 23 after Pengerang MP Datuk Seri Azalina Othman stepped down.

       She was among a group of Umno lawmakers who withdrew support for the previous administration under Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

       Meanwhile, Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PH-Port Dickson) will be asking Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to state to explain the 10.3% decrease in the monthly household gross income during Question Time in the House.

       Also to be raised by Datuk Mohd Salim Sharif (BN-Jempol) is the justification for reopening 11 economic sectors under Phase 1 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) when new daily Covid-19 cases are still high.

       Lawmakers are also set to begin debates on the Royal Address delivered by the King at the opening of Dewan Rakyat Monday.

       This parliamentary session is the first under the government led by Ismail Sabri.

       Based on the calendar of the Dewan Rakyat meeting, this session will take place over 17 days until Oct 12.