KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat has not received notice of the originating summons filed by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and four others to challenge the recent appointment its new speaker and deputy.
Deputy Speaker Datuk Rashid Hasnon said in a statement said the matter would be addressed through legal recourse.
The appointments of Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun and Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said as Dewan Rakyat speaker and deputy speaker respectively had come under heavy protest by the opposition.
"I take note of Langkawi Member of Parliament Dr Mahathir and four others taking legal action to challenge the appointment of the Speaker and deputy speaker as reported on a local news portal.
"Dr Mahathir and the four others can do anything they want in this democratic country as long as it follows the rule of law.
"I have not received the notice and will leave the matter to be undertaken by legal procedures for further action," Rashid said. bout
The five plaintiffs filed their originating summons at the Kuala Lumpur High Court Registry around 2pm this afternoon.
A law firm, Law Practice of Rafique, filed the cause papers on behalf of the five.
According to a media statement issued, the other four plaintiffs are Jerlun MP Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, Simpang Renggam MP Dr Maszlee Malik, Kubang Pasu MP Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah, and Sri Gading MP Datuk Dr Shahruddin Md Salleh.
The five plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that the appointments of Azhar and Azalina are invalid and contravene the Federal Constitution and Dewan Rakyat standing orders.
They are also seeking a declaration that following the vacating of the speaker's post previously held by Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof, all MPs must be allowed to find a candidate for the position.
The five plaintiffs also want a declaration that the posts of the Dewan Rakyat speaker and deputy speaker have remained vacant since July 13.
