PARLIAMENT | Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad appeared tickled when opposition lawmakers from BN and PAS staged a vociferous protest against the appointment of Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof as the Dewan Rakyat speaker.
The 93-year-old politician, who made a comeback to Parliament this morning more than a decade after stepping down as prime minister, flashed a smile when the pandemonium erupted.
At one juncture, Mahathir made a mocking expression and waved his hands at the opposition lawmakers as if encouraging them to make more noise.
Seated to his right was Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who was also spotted smiling.
Later, the opposition lawmakers – expect for Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin and Kimanis MP Mohd Anifah Aman – staged a walkout claiming that Ariff's appointment did not comply with the Standing Order.
The Standing Order requires the name of the speaker to be submitted 14 days before the first sitting.
Speaking to reporters later, Mahathir insisted that Ariff's name was submitted to the House on July 2, and therefore was in compliance with the Standing Order.
About an hour after exiting the House, the opposition MPs returned and were sworn in.
-Mkini
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