DAP rep vows to defend Selangor speaker against ouster attempts

Following Selangor Legislative Assembly speaker Ng Suee Lim's alleged role in blocking an attempt to introduce a unilateral conversion bill, a PKR faction floated the idea of removing him.

However, a DAP lawmaker promised that the party will defend Ng at all costs, as he has been doing a great job by risking his position to stick to his principles.

“The speaker has made a daring move," the source told Malaysiakini on the condition of anonymity.

"This is because he knows the bill may create social disorder, so he sacrificed himself and took a risk to make sure the bill was not tabled."

The source said Ng utilised a "clever but legal way" to block the bill.

"DAP assemblypersons will protect him at all costs, as he acted in the interest of society and all ethnic groups.

"We can say he is very selfless. He knows his actions may cause unhappiness on the menteri besar's (Amirudin Shari) part, but he dared to go through with it.

Other Selangor DAP leaders, such as deputy chief Ean Yong Hian Wah and vice-chief V Ganabathirau, declined to comment.

Malaysiakini reported earlier that the menteri besar attempted to push through an amendment to a state enactment on the conversion of minors.

At present, the enactment reads that those below 18 must obtain the consent of his or her "mother and father" before embracing Islam. The amendment seeks to change this to "mother or father."

The bill was said to have received the palace's backing on the recommendation of the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais). 

But it is understood that Ng declined to sign a document and adjourned the meeting before it could be debated.

Malaysiakini was told that a day after the failure, Amirudin (photo) called a meeting of all PKR Muslim assemblypersons and a Bersatu assemblyperson. 

One of the items allegedly on the agenda was the proposed removal of the speaker.

According to the state constitution, there is no clause to clearly define how a speaker can be legally removed.

Clause (2) of Section 71 of the constitution only lists four conditions under which the speaker can resign and vacate his or her office, namely:

• When the legislative assembly first meets after a general election;
• On his or her ceasing to be a member of the assembly other than by reason of a dissolution thereof;
• Upon being disqualified under Clause (3A) under which the speaker engages in using the office for profit, corporate or business reasons;
• If the assembly at any time so resolves. In this event, a motion needs to be passed with the support of at least half of the assemblypersons in order to remove the speaker.

The DAP source also said that those wanting Ng's removal as speaker could not gather enough numbers to force the move.

However, two PKR assemblypersons, namely Juwairiya Zulkifli (Bukit Melawati) and Azmizam Zaman Huri (Pelabuhan Klang) denied any move to have Ng sacked. - Mkini