Malacca speaker moves Rembia rep to opposition bloc

Summary

• Malacca assembly speaker Ibrahim Durum officially declares Rembia assemblyperson Muhammad Jailani Khamis as opposition member.

• Ibrahim’s decision sparks outcry in state assembly.

Malacca assembly speaker Ibrahim Durum today officially declared Rembia assemblyperson Muhammad Jailani Khamis as an opposition member effective immediately.

According to the portal Melaka Hari Ini, Ibrahim announced his decision during the opening of the third session of the third term of the 15th Malacca state assembly.

Ibrahim said Jailani took one year, one month, and six days to officially declare his exit from the party, during which four state assembly sessions took place.

“I view this matter seriously, but as a human being, I also have my own considerations,” he reportedly said.

“Frankly, this is difficult to accept because it has never happened in any state assembly or parliamentary session before.

“Thus, with a heavy heart, I have made an interim decision to move YB Rembia to the opposition bloc,” said Ibrahim.

Melaka Hari Ini reported that Ibrahim’s announcement sparked a minor commotion triggered by Merlimau assemblyperson Dr Mohamad Akmal Saleh and Jailani, with cries of “katak!” (frog), “pengkhianat!” (traitor) and “biadab!” (rude) heard in the state assembly.

PAS member

On July 16, PAS announced that Jailani, who at the time was on a six-year suspension from Umno, had joined the Islamist party.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan revealed that Jailani has been a member of the party since June last year.

With Jailani’s defection and Ibrahim’s announcement, PAS officially has a representative in the Malacca legislative assembly - bringing the total number of opposition-held seats to three - the other two from Bersatu.

According to Ibrahim, the interim decision was made under the speaker’s authority in accordance with Rules 9(1), 36, and 37 of the Assembly Standing Orders.

Ibrahim also reiterated that as the speaker, he will not hesitate to enforce the anti-party hopping law which was passed in August last year, should a similar incident occur in the future.

Takiyuddin previously said Jailani submitted his application to join PAS on June 10, 2023, which was accepted on the same day, while the Malacca assembly only greenlit the anti-hopping law on July 31 last year.

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