ISKANDAR PUTERI: Umno supreme council member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi (pic) has been appointed as the new Johor state assembly Speaker.

       Puad, 64, was the only name that was suggested by Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi through a letter to the Johor state assembly dated April 10.

       “I would like to bring forward a proposal for Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi to be appointed as the speaker for the Johor state assembly.

       “I have ensured that he (Puad) would agree to take up the role as speaker,” said Onn Hafiz during the Johor state assembly here on Thursday (April 21).

       The proposal was supported by Buloh Kasap assemblyman Datuk Zahari Sarip, who is also state agriculture, agro-based and rural development committee chairman.

       Puad, who is also Renggit assemblyman, was a former deputy minister and was the Batu Pahat MP between 2008 and 2013.

       More to come