Appoint opposition MP as deputy speaker, Azalina moots
Former Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Azalina Othman Said today mooted that her seat should be filled by an opposition MP.
The Pengerang Umno MP, who stepped down from the post several days ago, said that this would be the best opportunity for newly-minted Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to "get the ball rolling" for parliamentary reform.
According to Azalina, the motion to appoint her replacement...
Former Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Azalina Othman Said today mooted that her seat should be filled by an opposition MP.
The Pengerang Umno MP, who stepped down from the post several days ago, said that this would be the best opportunity for newly minted Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to "get the ball rolling" for parliamentary reform.
According to Azalina, the motion to appoint her replacement should also come from the government.
"(The position) should be replaced by an opposition member, but the motion must be by the government.
"If the motion is by the opposition, then there will be another round of vote of confidence. Fight, fight and fight. This is the best opportunity for the prime minister... to offer that as a gesture to start the ball rolling," she told a webinar on parliamentary reform agenda this morning.
This is as reform will take time, she said, and it will not take place within one sitting as there are a lot of negotiations with stakeholders.
"But this is something that is achievable," she added.
Azalina was speaking at a webinar titled 'A Roadmap for Parliamentary Reform for and Beyond the Pandemic' organised by Jeffrey Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia.
Azalina on Monday confirmed that she tendered her resignation as the deputy speaker, a post she had been holding since last year, citing several reasons behind her decision.
The former law minister also said that such a move by the government would create a history in the country's parliamentary democracy.
"If the government does that, and if it is supported unanimously... I think (it) will be fantastic for our parliamentary history.
"Because we are showing the gesture that we want Parliament to be a professional platform," she said.
Yesterday, Ismail Sabri held a meeting with opposition chief Anwar Ibrahim and two other leaders from opposition bloc Pakatan Harapan where they agreed to strengthen the parliamentary institution.
However, some were said to be unhappy with the gesture, including on the part of the opposition in responding positively to the ninth prime minister.
Answering a question from the webinar audience on this, Azalina stressed that it is crucial for all politicians to have a "ceasefire" at this juncture.
"If we are serious about the road to recovery, we all must join hands and cease fire for the sake of the nation," she said.
Azalina added that MPs from across the divide cannot be hostile against each other all the time, including in the Dewan Rakyat.
"It is important for political party leaders and the different blocs to work together in great continuous engagement."
'Let the MPs talk non-stop'
Meanwhile, speaking on her experience as deputy speaker, Azalina said that she wished she could let all the MPs talk without being bound by a time limit.
However, the country's parliamentary calendar is a short one, and there are so many issues that MPs need to raise, she explained.
"If I had it my way, cheekily, I would have all the MPs talk, and I would do it from night to dawn, dawn to night.
"I would do it. I would just let them talk non-stop because I want to allow everyone to have that privilege to represent their constituency.
"(But) our sitting is not like in the UK where it is three-quarters of the year. Our sitting is a very short time on the calendar, and I know they have a lot to say," she said.
During the webinar, Azalina also presented seven proposals for a parliamentary reform agenda, which she regarded as her wishlist.
They include to review the impartiality and accountability of a speaker - where she mooted that a speaker should be appointed by a voting process in the Dewan Rakyat; strengthening and expanding Parliament's capacity with separate parliamentary services, such as its own budget allocation; and that motions on a vote of confidence be given priority over government business.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.