New Perak state legislative assembly speaker Ngeh Koo Ham believes that differing views over the candidacy for his post will not divide Pakatan Harapan in the state.

Ngeh told the Malay Mail in an interview that such disagreements were “normal in an equal coalition,” and did not have to be divisive if they were handled maturely.

"In Pakatan Harapan, we are all equal partners. There will always be differences of opinion, but in the family spirit, we will always discuss things,” he said.

Ngeh’s remarks follow PKR Srikandi chief Siti Aishah Shaik Ismail saying that she had been “pressured” by former Perak menteri besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin to withdraw her candidacy for state assembly speaker.

In a Facebook post last week, Siti Aishah said PKR had asked DAP to make way for her as their candidate, since the latter was already holding five of the 11 exco posts. DAP, however, reportedly refused to budge.

Siti Aishah subsequently took down the Facebook post, and Nizar apologised for any misunderstanding.

In the Malay Mail interview, Ngeh – who was appointed speaker last week on consensus – refused to get drawn into the controversy, insisting that differing views were not uncommon in a coalition of equals.

The Beruas MP also said that the equal standing of Harapan component parties ensures that there will always be internal checks in the coalition – adding that this is better than what was on offer with the previous BN administration.  

"In the past, there was one big brother (in BN). Umno would dictate everything and the others would just swallow. That is one reason why the component parties were rejected by the people.

"The public should be happy because internally, we have checks and balances.

"This will be a norm. Disagreements are not divisive. We have to view disagreements as a mature way to express our views and come out with the best solution," he said.

Ngeh also said in the interview that it was always the plan for him to stay in Perak and vie for the post of state assembly speaker, instead of for a federal position.

Siti Aishah has since been appointed as a special advisor to the Perak Mentri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

She is the second special adviser to be appointed after Sungai Manik assemblyman Zainol Fadzi Paharuddin.