IPOH: The appointment of Beruas member of Parliament Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (DAP) as the new Speaker of the state legislative assembly was agreed to by Pakatan Harapan (PH) component parties.
Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu said this at Ngeh’s swearing-in at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan here today.
Ngeh garnered 31 votes, former deputy speaker Datuk Nasaruddin Hashim obtained 25 votes and state PAS deputy commissioner Misbahul Munir Masduki received three votes.
Behrang assemblyman Aminuddin Zulkifli (Amanah) is the new Deputy Speaker.
The Menteri Besar was commenting on state PKR information chief Senator Siti Aishah Shaikh Ismail’s decision to pull out at the last minute after she was nominated for the post of speaker.
Faizal said: “I have spoken to her and she accepts the decision. I will ensure that Siti Aishah is given a suitable position that matches her ability in the state government.”
Siti Aishah, who is also PKR Srikandi Malaysia said: “As a young leader in PKR, I have learnt that position and power is not everything.
“I decided to withdraw because I wanted to ensure that the government chosen by the people would continue to serve the people.”
She also pointed out that her decision to pull out of the nomination for speaker had made it possible for a PH candidate to be chosen, hence preventing a BN candidate from becoming speaker.
State Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the assembly should have mentioned that there were four nominations, instead of three.
“We received four names – two from the government and two from BN and Pas. This is a serious matter and not good practice,” he added.
Earlier, a war of words had erupted when state legislative assembly secretary Kamarulariffin Ayob said only three names of candidates for Speaker had been received by the deadline of June 26.
Pengkalan Baru assemblyman Datuk Abdul Manaf Hashim said he was informed that there would be four candidates for the Speaker’s post and asked Kamarulariffin to reveal the fourth name but was dismissed by the latter.
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