KIT SIANG GIVES THE THUMBS-UP TO ARIFF AS SPEAKER – WHILE EX-JUDGE WARNS PARLIAMENT STILL HAS TO VOTE ON IT DESPITE HIS NOMINATION

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia will have a “world-class” Parliament if Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof is voted in as Dewan Rakyat Speaker tomorrow, DAP’s Lim Kit Siang said today.

The Iskandar Puteri MP commended the retired judge for the role, saying the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition’s electoral pledges for reform in lawmaking will be delivered under Ariff’s watch.

“I have no doubt that with the new Speaker of Parliament, Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof the 14th Parliament can fulfil its promise and potential to be a world-class Parliament for reform and innovation.

“Under Ariff, Malaysians will have a Parliament they can feel proud, a Parliament which understands the Malaysian Dream of all Malaysians and not one which is like the traditional three monkeys with eyes that see not, ears that hear not and mouth that speaks not,” he said in a statement, taking a swipe at the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) administration.

The DAP veteran lawmaker also lashed out at former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak whom he accused of perpetuating toxic politics despite leading the BN to its biggest defeat in the 14th general election.

Lim claimed Najib and the Umno leadership have not shown any contrition or remorse since losing the elections, but continued to use race, religion, hatred and lies to spread fear and divide the multi-ethnic, multi-religious populace.

He then dared the other BN leaders to stand up to Najib and others of his ilk.

“Is there any Umno MP who is prepared to break ranks in the 14th Parliament and apologise for these two toxic Najib legacies?

“Will the MCA deputy president, Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong do it; will the new MIC president direct the two MIC MPs to do it?” Lim challenged.

Wee is the sole MCA leader to keep his parliamentary seat in the May 9 contest while MCA kept two federal seats. – MALAY MAIL

MPs still have to vote for Speaker, nominee Ariff Yusof says

KUALA LUMPUR— Retired judge Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof confirmed he will be attending the new Dewan Rakyat session tomorrow, but said he is not yet the speaker.

He clarified that he is only a nominee and that the MPs in the lower House will still have to take a vote to decide if he will be appointed to the post, news portal The Malaysian Insight reported today.

“I have not been appointed, only nominated. I am an outsider. We will see what happens tomorrow,” he was quoted as saying.

While in Sarawak this morning, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad confirmed Mohamad Ariff as the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition’s choice for the role.

Others shortlisted previously include another former Court of Appeal judge Datuk Seri Mohd Hishamuddin Yunus and PKR lawmaker Datuk Seri Johari Abdul.

Johari, who is both Sungai Petani MP and Gurun assemblyman, later bowed out of the selection. The constitution states that the Speaker must not hold any state assembly role.

The first session of the 14th Parliament is highly anticipated as it will be the first time the Barisan Nasional coalition — now left its original three founding parties of Umno, MIC and MCA — will occupy the Opposition seats, along with PAS and Sarawak’s state ruling parties. – MALAY MAIL

MALAY MAIL