PN proposes ex-Kamunting rep as new Perak speaker, replacing Ngeh

Perak government has tabled a motion to name Umno's former Kamunting assemblyperson Mohammad Zahir Abdul Khalid as the new speaker of the state legislative assembly, replacing Pakatan Harapan's Ngeh Koo Ham.

A few Harapan lawmakers told Malaysiakini that they were notified by Ngeh (above) himself about the motion brought by the Perikatan Nasional government.

"It is the former Kamunting state assemblyperson Zahir," said state opposition leader Abdul Aziz Bari.

Zahir, a two-term Kamunting state assemblyperson and state executive councillor since 2008, lost the seat to PKR in the 2018 polls. He is also the Taiping Umno chief.

Deputy speaker Aminuddin Zulkipli confirmed a motion to elect the 52-year-old by PN was sent to the speaker.

However, he wasn't sure if the motion will be accepted by the speaker or even appear at the one-day sitting tomorrow.

"The speaker did not tell me," he said, adding that the PN's motion was not in line with the standing order of the House which stipulates seven-day notice on the candidate for the speaker's post.

Meanwhile, Ngeh has declined to comment if he would allow the motion.

"Sorry. Due to various reasons, not convenient to divulge any information at the moment," he told Malaysiakini in a text message.

Elaborating further, Aziz (photo) alleged that PN had originally wanted Ipoh Timur Umno division chief Azian Osman as the speaker, but could not work out the plan.

"Azian was announced as the Energy Commission chairperson (on May 9)," he said. 

When contacted, Perak Umno chief and state executive councillor Saarani Mohamad denied that PN originally named Azian as the candidate for speaker.

Saarani, however, declined to reveal PN's candidate for the post.

"It is up to the speaker (whether the motion will be accepted)," he said, adding that he is confident the motion will be passed if it is allowed as PN commands the majority in the state assembly.

PN, which controls 35 state seats out of 59, had ousted the Harapan state government on March 9.  - Mkini