DAP deputy secretary-general Nga Kor Ming said Dr Mahathir Mohamad recommended that he be made Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker as the prime minister believed he could learn to be impartial.
The Teluk Intan MP, in a Facebook Live session with The Malaysian Insight last night, said Dr Mahathir told him this in a friendly manner yesterday morning.
“I was having breakfast at the same table with the prime minister, coincidentally, and he looked at me and said, ‘You are good at talking, ah?’.
“Then he explained to me that he had recommended me for the deputy speaker’s post so that I could learn to restrain others and myself, to be neutral,” said Nga, laughing, during the interview.
He had received brickbats for a joke he made on Dr Mahathir’s age during the 14th general election campaign.
The newly elected Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker had also courted controversy over a racist remark he made against former Perak menteri besar Zambry Abdul Kadir after the 2011 state coup.
Nga apologised for his past ceramah speeches that have offended certain parties.
“I know there are many Malays who misunderstood me. I will adjust my demeanour to fulfil the expectations that people have of a deputy speaker.
“I hope the public can help me become a better man, a mature leader.
“A good leader must always be a good listener.”
Supporters of the Perak DAP chief had demanded an explanation from secretary-general Lim Guan Eng for the lack of a cabinet post for Nga.
The 45-year-old lawyer said he has no regrets spending two decades as an opposition politician, and looks forward to excelling in his new role as deputy speaker.
Among the reforms he has vowed to embark on is to restore Parliament’s financial independence by reviving the Parliamentary Services Act.
Nga said he will decide within 48 hours whether to take up the position of Malaysia Palm Oil Board ( MPOB) chairman.
He said he will not draw a salary from MPOB should he agree to the offer. -FMT
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