Harapan claims plot to change Johor speaker on May 14 sitting

Johor Pakatan Harapan claims efforts are underway by Perikatan Nasional to remove state assembly speaker Suhaizan Kaiat on the May 14 sitting.

In a statement, Johor Harapan assemblypersons said sources had informed them that statutory declarations (SD) were being collected to achieve this.

When contacted, Suhaizan said he had heard such rumours, but said SDs could not remove him.

"SDs were signed outside the state assembly, anything to do with the speaker must be decided in the assembly," he told Malaysiakini.

Suhaizan is a non-assemblyperson speaker from Amanah, whose position became tenuous after PN took over the state government in late February.

However, it is unclear whether a motion to remove him can be tabled on May 14.

This is as the state assembly sitting had been shortened in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the only matter scheduled is Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar's decree.

A circular issued to assemblypersons states that there will not be any questions, motions, or bills.

When questioned about this, Suhaizan said that whether any matters arise after the monarch's speech, will be up to the speaker to decide.

This includes Harapan's push to extend the sitting.

Suhaizan said it was not suitable to extend the sitting beyond one day due to the pandemic, but said he would consider extending the sitting to the afternoon of May 14.

[More to follow] - Mkini