Pakatan proposes former judge as speaker

Pakatan Rakyat have unanimously nominated former Federal Court judge Abdul Kadir Sulaiman as its candidate for speaker in the Dewan Rakyat.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, said in a statement that Abdul Kadir's nomination was forwarded through Bandar Tun Razak MP and Selangor menteri besar, Khalid Ibrahim, on June 10.

"The written notice of the nomination has been submitted to the secretary of the Dewan Rakyat in accordance with Dewan Rakyat Standing orders 4(1). Pakatan insist that the speaker must be appointed from someone who is independent, non-partisan and is qualified to serve," he said.

"Abdul Kadir fulfills all the criteria to be the speaker as he has contributed to the country for more than 50 years in various departments, ministries, states, the Judicial Appointment Commission and the royal household," continued Anwar.

Abdul Kadir, 73, was also one of the panel members in the royal commission of inquiry into the death of Teoh Beng Hock who died at the premises of the Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission office.

He retired as a Federal Court judge on March 28, 2006 and was appointed to the executive committee to transform the MACC.

He is also a member of the council of advisors to the Terengganu Royal Household.

"Pakatan is confident that Abdul Kadir's selection as speaker will uplift the respect of the people to Parliament as well as boost its credibility internationally," added the Permatang Pauh MP added.

However The Star daily reported today that Pandikar Amin Mulia (left) is expected to retain his post as speaker for Dewan Rakyat.

Pandikar has been holding the post since 2008, when he replaced Ramli Ngah Talib.

It also named Ramli, former Senate speaker Abdul Hamid Pawanteh and former Information, Communications and Culture Minister Rais Yatim, as other possible choices.