Liew: Submission complied with 14-day rule

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Liew Vui Keong, the minister in charge of Parliament, says the Secretariat has received a name for the Speaker from the Government on July 2, following allegations over Pakatan Harapan not meeting the minimum 14 days’ notice to inform the administrator of the candidate.

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said in a statement yesterday that the submission of the name complied with the 14 days’ rule under Standing Order 4(1).

Retired Court of Appeal judge Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof is expected to be the Dewan Rakyat Speaker.

Reacting to reports of Mohamad Ariff possibly receiving his appointment letter as the Speaker at the latest by today – on the eve of the opening of the 14th Parliament – Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa had contended that the session might have to be post- poned as Pakatan did not adhere to the 14-day requirement.

In Ipoh, Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran said those disputing the expected appointment of Mohamad Ariff are attempting to divert the people’s attention from their own problems.

“Their leaders are being investigated and going to be charged.

“They want to divert the attention and focus of the people from the issue,” he told reporters after opening his ministry’s service counter at the Ipoh Central Market here yesterday.

Kulasegaran said Barisan Nasional lawmakers should instead spend their time preparing questions for the Government during the 20-day meeting.

In response to Kulasegaran’s claim, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak questioned if the Government was really practising the rule of law.

“Is Dewan Rakyat Standing Order being followed?

“If they cannot follow the rules of the country’s highest body, how can they even claim that this new administration is based on the rule of law?” the former prime minister posted on his Facebook page yesterday.

“The Human Resources Minister claims that those who are voicing their unease are only sensationalising the issue in order to divert attention from the political persecution against me.

“I am no longer the prime minister or a member of the administration of the Government, so why am I being blamed over the issue of the Speaker’s appointment?” Najib added.

If they cannot follow the rules of the country’s highest body, how can they even claim that this new administration is based on the rule of law? Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak