Azhar Harun: I did not speak on behalf of finance minister
Editor's note: An earlier version of this article erroneously stated that Azhar Azizan Harun said he cannot speak on behalf of ministers during Dewan Rakyat proceedings.
Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun today denied taking sides when executing his duties in Parliament.
Instead, he said he was merely doing his job as the speaker by ensuring that parliamentary proceedings run smoothly...
Editor's note: An earlier version of this article erroneously stated that Azhar Azizan Harun said he cannot speak on behalf of ministers during Dewan Rakyat proceedings.
Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun today denied taking sides when executing his duties in Parliament.
Instead, he said he was merely doing his job as the speaker by ensuring that parliamentary proceedings run smoothly.
"I am just keeping time (at the proceedings) and I do not speak on behalf of the Finance Ministry.
"I do not want to get involved in any polemic and make my duty as a polemic.
"I accept all criticisms. What can I do? This is my job," Azhar (above) said when met by reporters at the Parliament building's lobby today.
He was responding to allegations by the opposition that he was siding with Perikatan Nasional MPs when on duty.
Azhar added that as he had taken on the job as speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, he also had to be ready to face criticism from any party.
The speaker had come under fire from the opposition on Aug 6 after he appeared to answer on behalf of Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz after former finance minister Lim Guan Eng raised the issue of the settlement with Goldman Sachs.
Lim, who is DAP MP for Bagan, asked Zafrul if the US$3.9 billion settlement between the government and Goldman Sachs for 1MDB's losses had been approved by the cabinet.
Azhar interjected saying: "This is the Finance Ministry's decision, it must have been brought to the cabinet."
He interrupted the Bagan MP again later and responded for the government when Lim continued to press the matter.
"The negotiating team had been given the mandate by the cabinet, when something has been achieved, the cabinet would surely ratify it," the speaker reportedly said.
Meanwhile, Azhar also visited the Media Room at Parliament today where he presented meal packs to media personnel on duty.
He praised the media for playing its role in channelling information to the public on Dewan Rakyat sittings and expressed hope that journalists would continue to perform their duties prudently.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.