Johari appointed as Speaker

Sworn in: Johari taking his oath as the new Dewan Rakyat Speaker at the Parliament House. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Johari Abdul of Pakatan Harapan has been appointed as the Dewan Rakyat Speaker after nearly two-thirds of MPs or 147 voted in favour of him.

He was previously a three-term Sungai Petani MP but did not contest in last month’s general election.

The appointment of the Speaker was the first order of business in the House when it sat for the first time yesterday following the conclusion of the general election.

According to Parliament secretary Nizam Mydin Bacha Mydin, a ballot vote was held in accordance to Standing Order 4(3), as there were more than one candidate for the Speaker’s post.

Johari was the unity government’s choice for Speaker while Perikatan Nasional had nominated Tan Sri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad for the post.

Radzi secured 74 votes.

After the voting process was carried out, Johari donned the Speaker’s robe and presided over the swearing-in ceremony of each of the 222 MPs.

The swearing-in of all MPs took place until 1pm yesterday before the House adjourned for a lunch break.

After the break, the election of two Deputy Speakers took place. Three names were nominated – Alice Lau (PH-Lanang), Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor (BN-Cameron Highlands) and Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN-Masjid Tanah).

Johari said that each MP was allowed to vote for one or two candidates.

“But not three. Those with three names will be counted as spoilt votes,” he said.

Subsequently, Ramli secured 148 votes, while Lau obtained 146 votes, and Mas Ermieyati (74 votes).

After the two deputy speakers were elected, the House proceeded to debate the motion of confidence on Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s premiership, where 12 MPs, six each from government and the Opposition, took part.

The two-day meeting will end today.