DAP Youth chief pans PAS MP over 'deputy speaker from opposition' idea

Summary

• DAP Youth chief Woo Kah Leong shoots down a PAS MP’s suggestion to appoint a Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker from the opposition bench as part of reform efforts.

• Woo claims PN MPs were hypocritical as they had abstained from voting on the constitutional amendments.

DAP Youth chief Woo Kah Leong has shot down a Perikatan Nasional lawmaker’s suggestion for the government to appoint a deputy Dewan Rakyat speaker from the opposition bench, as part of proposed parliamentary reforms.

In a statement today, Woo (above) dismissed PAS’ Parit Buntar MP Misbahul Munir Masduki’s suggestion made in the Dewan Rakyat earlier today in his Parliamentary Services Act 2025 debate.

“It is rather hypocritical when there are PN MPs talking about parliamentary reforms, particularly the request to appoint opposition MPs as deputy Dewan Rakyat speaker.

“As a former private secretary to the deputy speaker, I still remember how aggressive and hasty the PN government was in removing Ariff (Md Yusof) as speaker while the country was facing the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Woo.

In making his suggestion, Misbahul argued that at least one out of three deputy speakers should be appointed from among opposition MPs.

Ariff served as the ninth speaker of the Dewan Rakyat from July 18, 2018, to his removal in July 2020 after the downfall of the first Pakatan Harapan government.

Subsequently, his deputy Nga Kor Ming resigned from his post in solidarity with Ariff.

‘Shameless’

Commenting further, Woo alluded to former premier Muhyiddin Yassin’s PN-led government’s move to suspend Parliament proceedings under the pretext of an emergency due to the pandemic.

“Yet, they were able to hold a session to remove the speaker and deputy speaker after seizing power through the Sheraton Move.

“It is truly shameless to talk about ‘reforming’ the Dewan Rakyat when their own party once destroyed its democracy, and now they are chanting slogans to reform it?” stressed the Pasir Bedamar assemblyperson.

“If they truly want reform, why didn’t they vote for the constitutional amendment yesterday?

“There were 57 present - what about the other PN MPs who didn’t show up? Do they not want to reform Parliament?” Woo questioned.

Yesterday, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil expressed disappointment with 57 opposition MPs who abstained from voting to pass the bill.

He said the opposition’s failure to vote for the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2025 at Dewan Rakyat showed their disinterest in supporting efforts to strengthen Parliament as an independent institution.

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