EX-JUDGE ARIFF IS DEWAN RAKYAT SPEAKER NOMINEE, SAYS PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Court of Appeal judge Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof’s nomination for the new Dewan Rakyat speaker post is an appropriate choice.
This is because of his legal and judicial experience. His political impartiality will come in handy in managing the 222strong lower house of Parliament.
Constitutional expert Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman said based on Ariff’s background and experience, the former Court of Appeal judge was the right candidate for the job.
He said as a former judge, Ariff would be wise in managing the proceedings of the Dewan Rakyat, especially when disputes erupted among members of parliament, as well as elected representatives.
“It is more important that a former judge was appointed, as he does not represent any political party and there would be no bias when he manages the proceedings in the Dewan Rakyat,” he told the New Straits Times Press.
Aziz, who is former Elected Representatives Council president, said Ariff had extensive experience not only in law and the judiciary, but also when it came to the Federal Constitution.
He said Ariff, who contested the 2004 general election on a Pas ticket and was now a member of Parti Amanah Negara, had the political experience, which would enable him to understand a politician’ s woes.
“This is a good choice and I understand that Ariff is interested in the meetings and proceedings that take place in the Dewan Rakyat.
“This is in view of the many new faces in the lower house and that the people want to see a transformation of Parlia- ment,” he said.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia research fellow (Law and Constitution) Dr Muhammad Fathi Yusof said the nomination of Ariff as the Dewan Rakyat speaker was a good move.
He said Ariff had experience in politics, academic and administrative and judicial aspects.
“I think the experience he has is sufficient as the Dewan Rakyat speaker who understands politics and the political culture.
“A speaker of the Dewan Rakyat must prioritise the interests and integrity of the legislature, as opposed to the interests of the party.”
The new Dewan Rakyat opposition leader has been narrowed down to either Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi or party veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.
Sources told the NSTP that Pas had declined the position in the Lower House of Parliament and instead suggested that “Umno lead the opposition”.
Attempts to get Zahid and Pas secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan for comments were not successful at press time.