Zaid Ibrahim says new speaker should be elected if parties are unhappy over vacated MPs issue

The Dewan Rakyat speaker’s decision on the non-vacancies of six sacked Bersatu MPs has made many unhappy, including top Umno leaders

12:41 PM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR – Former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said that the remedy for disputes over Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul’s decision on the non-vacancies of six sacked Bersatu MPs would be to elect another person for the role.

Zaid made this comment after Umno leaders Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani expressed their views on the speaker’s handling of the anti-hopping law.

“It is good that both Umno leaders have spoken, but the remedy is quite simple – choose another person who is disposed to be fair as speaker.

“If Umno feels strongly about the issue, the (government) will have no choice but to allow Parliament to elect another speaker,” he said in a post on X today.

Zaid said that Mohamad’s suggestion to conduct a recall election would be expensive. He justified Johari Ghani’s call for amendments to current laws by saying that the current administration is unsuitable for investor confidence.

Johari Ghani had called for an amendment to the current law, implying there is a loophole that justifies the speaker’s non-decision. 

“Government institutions, including Parliament, can only properly function if their officials are honourable and honest in discharging their duties and responsibilities.

“No laws or regulations, as well as policy changes, can replace ethical conduct,” Zaid added. 

Zaid also said it was time for Umno to emulate Sarawak political parties by getting its “proper dues” for being a component of the government and to have a firm stance over the issue. 

It should be noted that according to the anti-party hopping law, an MP’s seat will be vacated if the lawmaker in question resigns from their party, ceases to be a member of the party, or joins another political party.

However, the law – which came into effect in October 2022 – does not address instances where an opposition MP switches support to the government without first leaving their party. 

Previously, Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin led a walkout in Parliament after disputing the speaker’s decision against vacating the parliamentary seats of six sacked Bersatu members.

Similarly, Muhyiddin accused the speaker of “tarnishing” the constitution by not vacating the seats held by the six MPs, who were sacked from the party after declaring support for the government. 

Muhyiddin also said the party’s appointed legal experts would take the appropriate action to uphold the law and the party’s constitution by challenging Johari’s decision in court. 

The six lawmakers in question are Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar) and Datuk Zulkafperi Hanafi (Tg Karang). – July 14, 2024

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