Umno picks Ramli Mohd Noor as its choice for Parliament deputy speaker

KUALA LUMPUR: Cameron Highlands MP Datuk Ramli Mohd Noor has been picked by Umno as their candidate to fill the vacant deputy speaker's post.

Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said that Ramli's candidacy had been agreed by the party and the prime minister.

"This is historic as he is the first candidate from the Orang Asli community," Ahmad tweeted.

According to the Pontian MP, Monday (Oct 11) is the last day for candidate submissions before the next Parliament meeting starting Oct 25.

On Thursday (Oct 7), Ahmad withdrew from the running to be deputy speaker.

He said he was withdrawing his candidacy so he could devote more time to party matters.

The Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker's seat fell vacant in August following the resignation of Pengerang MP Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said from the post.

Besides Ahmad, Teluk Intan MP Nga Kor Ming has also been proposed as a candidate.

Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said on Thursday there was no need to create a third deputy speaker post.

Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon is the other existing Deputy Speaker.