‘Only the best for the job’

New Selangor Speaker to be known this week, says MB

SHAH ALAM: The identity of the new Selangor Speaker is expected to be known by midweek, according to the state government.

Mentri Besar Amirudin Shari says he is certain that a consensus within Pakatan Harapan can be achieved “in a day or two”.

Asked to confirm whether DAP had proposed its Sekinchan assemblyman Ng Suee Lim for the post, he said this was just speculation.

“Everything will be taken into consideration and we will have a consensus decision,” he said at the state government’s Hari Raya Open House event at Dataran Kemerdekaan here yesterday.

The event was graced by Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin and Raja Muda Selangor Tengku Amir Shah.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.

The Speaker’s post for the 2008 and 2013 terms were held by DAP. However this time, PKR could also be in contention.

Sources said PKR was pushing for its Paya Jaras assemblyman Khairuddin Othman, a lawyer, for the job.

Amirudin said any decision taken would be with the agreement of all Pakatan parties.

He said the person appointed would be someone with the ability to discharge the Speaker’s duties effectively.

“We will make sure we appoint a good Speaker who can deliver,” he said.

A DAP source said the party was handed the Speaker’s position for the last two terms in lieu of an exco position.

“But PKR has five more seats than DAP this term, so I think they may demand the Speaker’s post,” he said.

PKR holds 21 seats, while DAP, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and Parti Amanah Negara have 16, six and eight seats respectively.

Everything will be taken into consideration and we will have a consensus decision. Amirudin Shari