KEDAH SPEAKER IMPASSE TO END ON JULY 4
Kuala Kedah rep touted to become speaker while Ayer Hangat assemblyman, deputy speaker
Tmonth. HERE is light at the end of the tunnel on the Kedah assembly speaker and deputy speaker issue, which had lasted for one
This follows the statement of Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhkriz Mahathir, who said they had identified the candidates for the two posts.
In the 14th General Election, Pakatan Harapan through its four component parties — PKR, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) and DAP — won 18 of the 36 seats it contested, followed by Pas (15) and three seats by Barisan Nasional.
Although PH formed the state government, it, however, faced problems when it came to the appointment of the state assembly speaker.
This was until rumours began circulating that a state election could take place to resolve the issue.
However, the rumours were dismissed by Mukhriz and the matter would be resolved following talks with Pas and BN on the matter.
The speaker is important as he casts the important votes for the approval of bills.
It is learnt that the state government had suggested former Kuala Kedah member of parliament Datuk Ahmad Kassim be appointed speaker and Ayer Hangat assemblyman Juhari Bulat, deputy speaker.
Sources said after PH’s victory, they agreed that PKR would receive four seats from the executive council and the speaker’s post, while PPBM would be given three exco seats and the deputy speaker’s post.
According to him, the PH parties agreed with the arrangement, but the speaker’s post faced problems after Pas, which has 15 seats, disagreed with the candidate chosen for the post.
“The choice of the speaker’s candidate was given consent by Sultan of Kedah Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah after the name was forwarded for his approval.
“But the problem arose after Pas disagreed with the proposal and delayed the appointment.
“The crisis, however, has been deemed to have been resolved, with the speaker and its deputy to be appointed on July 4 at the first state legislative assembly.”