Dec 30 decision for striking-out bid of speaker appointment suit

 

The Kuala Lumpur High Court has moved up the date to Dec 30 for a decision on an application to strike out Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s legal challenge against the appointment of Azhar Azizan Harun as Dewan Rakyat speaker.

The former prime minister’s counsel Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali said that the court today had contacted all parties in the matter over the change of date.

“The decision for the striking-out of the suit set on Jan 18, 2021 has been vacated. The new date for a decision on the striking-out application is on Dec 30 at 10am at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

“The (new) date was agreed by all parties,” the lawyer said when contacted.

Previously, it was reported that the High Court had initially set Jan 18 for a decision on the striking-out application by Azhar and three other defendants.

The other defendants are deputy speakers - Azalina Othman Said and Mohd Rashid Hasnon - and Dewan Rakyat secretary Nizam Mydin Bacha Mydin.

The lawsuit, among others, targeted the validity of the appointments of Azhar and Azalina as speaker and deputy speaker, but does not target the validity of Rashid’s post as deputy speaker.

On July 23, the plaintiffs - Langkawi MP Mahathir, Jerlun MP Mukhriz Mahathir, Simpang Renggam MP Maszlee Malik, Kubang Pasu MP Amiruddin Hamzah, and Sri Gading MP Shahruddin Md Salleh - filed the originating summons.

The five plaintiffs are seeking a court declaration that the appointments of Azhar and Azalina are invalid and contravene the Federal Constitution and Dewan Rakyat Standing Orders.

They also seek a declaration that following the vacating of the speaker’s post previously held by Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof, all MPs must be given an opportunity to find a candidate for the position.

Apart from that, the plaintiffs want a declaration that the posts of the Dewan Rakyat speaker and deputy speaker have remained vacant since July 13. - Mkini