Former premier Najib Abdul Razak has been appointed to lead 23 BN backbenchers in Parliament ahead of the next sitting beginning tomorrow, according to a report quoting sources.
The Malaysian Insight quoted BN sources who said Najib's new role as chairperson of the BN backbenchers club (BNBBC) would allow him to set the tone for debates by its members in the Dewan Rakyat.
"Najib was appointed recently ahead of the important Parliament meeting so he can direct the BN backbenchers in the house," the source was quoted as saying.
The source also reportedly said that Najib’s appointment as BNBBC chairperson comes amid tension between Umno and Bersatu, with Najib playing a bigger role to resolve the dispute.
"He is experienced so he can influence the parliamentarians," the source said.
The government bench is divided between MPs holding minister and deputy minister's posts, as well as the backbenchers.
BN comprising Umno, MCA, MIC, and PBRS has 43 MPs, of which 23 are backbenchers with a role to drive debates in the Dewan Rakyat through their speeches, including the much anticipated Budget 2021 to be tabled on Nov 6.
According to the report, Najib will set the tone of the backbenchers' debates through instructions on what they should speak on.
He will also reportedly be in a position to decide the order of the debaters from the BN ranks.
The Pekan MP had relinquished all his positions from BN and Umno, including as its chairperson and president, when the coalition lost in the 2018 general election.
In July last year, he was appointed as BN adviser.
Aside from Najib, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as the BN parliamentary whip has the power to instruct all BN MPs when it comes time to vote, including on Budget 2021. - Mkini
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