KUCHING, Dec 19: Former Sungai Petani MP Dato Johari Abdul was elected as the new Dewan Rakyat Speaker today.
Johari, who was the ruling government’s candidate nominated by Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim and seconded by Deputy Prime Minister Dato Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, gained 147 votes from Members of Parliament.
Former Home Minister and Kangar MP Tan Sri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, who was proposed by opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin seconded by Pas secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan for the post, managed to get 74 votes.
The election of the new Speaker was the first item on the Dewan Rakyat’s agenda today which among others, includes the vote to appoint new deputy speakers.
Meanwhile, in the afternoon session of the Dewan Rakyat, Cameron Highlands MP Ramli Md Nor and Lanang MP Alice Lau were elected for the Deputy Speaker posts.
The announcement was made by Johari after the vote count with 148 and 146 votes, respectively.
Both were proposed by Anwar and supported by his deputy, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusuf.
For PN, the choice seems to be the former Deputy Minister in Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law), Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, who was the Opposition’s only candidate and managed 74 votes.
She was proposed by Kota Baru MP Datuk Seri Takyuddin Hassan and supported by Ahmad Amzad Hashim. — DayakDaily
