It is highly likely that the Malacca legislative assembly may still be without an opposition leader when it convenes on March 2 for a four-day sitting.

The opposition, comprising one PAS and six DAP representatives in the assembly, has yet to appoint anyone to the post after Duyong assemblyperson Goh Leong San of the DAP resigned as the opposition leader on Oct 8, 2013.

Goh had reportedly given up the post due to a misunderstanding with party leaders.

When contacted by Bernama, Goh said there had been no discussion among the DAP assemblypersons on the appointment of an opposition leader following his resignation.

“There has been no discussion on the matter. I will let you know if there are developments,” he said.

The seven opposition representatives are among the 28 assemblypersons in the assembly.

Assembly speaker Othman Muhamad said he had not received any correspondence on the appointment of a new opposition leader.

“Under the rules, the state assembly can still sit without an opposition leader though there could be problems in terms of coordination,” he said.

Chief Minister Idris Haron acknowledged that there was confusion in the opposition bench during the three sittings last year without an opposition leader.

He said the Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblypersons would not take advantage of the situation because they realised the importance of an opposition in the assembly as per the democratic system practised in the country.

- Bernama