Omar Jaafar says received verbal notice he is no longer Melaka Speaker after chaotic one-day sitting

MELAKA: Former Melaka Speaker Datuk Wira Omar Jaafar (pic) says he has received a verbal notice from the secretary of the state assembly informing him that he is no longer in office effective Monday (May 11).

Omar said the secretary will be writing an official letter on Tuesday (May 12) on the discontinuation of his term as Speaker.

"After my 'tarawih' prayers during the holy month of Ramadan, I decided to inform the that I have received the verbal notice.

"I couldn't talk to the media earlier as I was bit upset over the ruckus at Monday's proceedings," he said late Monday evening.

Omar said he still holds on to his rights based on the the law according to the provisions of the Melaka State Constitution.

He said Melaka Pakatan Harapan is also contesting the legality of appointing the new Speaker without the presence of Opposition lawmakers.

Earlier, chaos erupted at the one-day assembly following a move by Perikatan Nasional members led by Datuk Seri Idris Haron (BN-Sungai Udang) to replace Omar.

Heated verbal exchanges across the political divide marred the assembly.

Omar had told the assembly he was still the Speaker "de facto".

However, the ruckus continued when Omar adjourned the assembly before walking out together with the Opposition bloc, comprising 11 lawmakers.

Later, Perikatan Nasional assemblymen re-convened the assembly with 16 assemblymen before appointing Melaka Umno chief Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh as the 14th Melaka State Assembly Speaker.

Ab Rauf was proposed by Chief Minister Datuk Sulaiman Md Ali (BN-Lendu) and seconded by Datuk Seri Abdul Ghafaar Atan (BN-Asahan).

Sulaiman said Ab Rauf’s appointment was within the ambit of the law.

"We acted in accordance with the rules of the assembly where it allows us to continue sitting as there was no motion to adjourn and he (Omar) just left the assembly, which means the Speaker was not present" he said, adding that it was normal for a change in Speaker whenever there is a change in government.

Melaka has 28 assemblymen with Perikatan commanding 17 state seats following political turmoil on March 2 that caused the Pakatan-led state government to collapse.