G25 expresses 'deep concerns' over Pakatan's choice for Dewan Rakyat Speaker
Tuesday, 10 Jul 201811:31 PM MYT
PETALING JAYA: The G25 group of eminent Malays has expressed its “deep concerns” over Pakatan Harapan's pick for the Dewan Rakyat speaker, which sources say is Sungai Petani MP Datuk Johari Abdul (pic).
It urged Pakatan Harapan to reconsider its choice for Speaker, claiming that there were other candidates who are better suited to reform Parliament.
The pro-moderation group said that as Johari was a former National Civics Bureau (BTN) director and a former PKR whip in Parliament, such express partisanship did not sit well with the post of Speaker, which they said must be neutral.
“In the U.K., it is imperative for the Speaker of the House of Commons to be politically impartial. Therefore, on election the new Speaker of the House of Commons resigns from his or her political party and remains separate from political issues - even in retirement,” the group said in a statement on Tuesday (July 10).
“G25 reiterates the crucial and immediate need to reform Parliament. Parliament is the third arm of Government and cannot be treated like a political football field. The Dewan Rakyat Speaker is its epicentre and plays a crucial role in restoring the dignity of Parliament to its former glory,” they said.
They added that they did not wish for a weak Parliament which merely rubber-stamped the wishes of the Executive.
“Malaysians deserve a vibrant and effective check against the Executive. Pakatan Harapan must show that it is serious in reforming Parliament,” it said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad is expected to make the announcement on Johari's selection on Wednesday (July 11).
Johari's selection is in line with Pakatan's manifesto that the Speaker of Dewan Rakyat will be selected from among its MPs.
Three-term MP Johari first won the Sungai Petani seat in the 2008 general election.
A holder of a master's degree in strategic studies from the University of Lancaster, Johari is also the PKR chief whip.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/07/10/g25-expresses-deep-concerns-over-pakatan-choice-for-speaker/#KEEUmlBvAEDD1Mge.99
