PH accuses Azhar of helping govt dodge Dewan vote

 

The Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, Azhar Azizan Harun, has been accused of ‘being an instrument of the executive’. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan has accused Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun of helping the Perikatan Nasional-led government dodge a vote on the state of emergency by rejecting motions from opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and another MP.

In a statement, PH’s legal committee accused Azhar of abusing his powers by rejecting the motions from Anwar and Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham, and said Azhar’s actions showed that he was incapable of acting independently as a Speaker to ensure Parliament functioned properly as a check and balance on the executive.

“His actions show him to be a mere instrument in the hands of the executive playing out their agendas for them. It is clear from the actions of the Speaker that the PN government is desperate to avoid any kind of vote in the Dewan Rakyat and the Speaker has become their agent to make sure that no vote of any kind can happen,” the committee said.

Citing a statement from Istana Negara in June, they pointed out that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Rulers’ Conference had wanted Parliament to reconvene and play its role as a check and balance on the executive branch of government.

They said Azhar was disrespecting the wishes of the King and Rulers by rejecting the motions from Anwar and Ngeh.

“The Speaker has shown himself again to be unfit for the responsibilities and duties of the Speaker. He should remind himself he is inviting action for his removal as Speaker of the house through such illegal actions.”

On July 12, Anwar had submitted a motion for debates to be held at the coming Dewan Rakyat meeting instead of the meeting being devoted to the tabling of government matters.

But Azhar yesterday said he rejected the PKR president’s motion as it was submitted too early, having been filed three days before the notice for the special parliamentary sitting was issued. - FMT