New chapter begins: Lau was voted as the 12th Speaker at the Dewan Negeri in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama
SHAH ALAM: Former Banting assemblyman, DAP’s Lau Weng San, became the Selangor legislative assembly’s 12th Speaker after receiving 34 votes from the 56-member House.
His opponent, Perikatan Nasional’s PAS deputy commissioner III Dr Mohd Fuad Salleh received 22 votes.
Since there was more than one candidate nominated for the Speaker’s position, the selection was done through ballot voting which was conducted by Selangor legislative assembly secretary J. Gayathri Prasena yesterday.
PKR’s Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman Kamri Kamaruddin became the deputy Speaker after also receiving 34 votes as opposed to the Perikatan candidate, PAS’ Sungai Ramal assemblyman Shafie Ngah’s 22 votes.
Lau swore Kamri in as his deputy after he was duly installed as the Speaker and acknowledged by the House.
Following Lau’s and Kamri’s appointment, the state’s 56 assemblymen took their oath of office before the new Speaker.
Lau also announced that Hulu Kelang assemblyman Datuk Seri Azmin Ali was selected to lead the Opposition in the legislative assembly.
Lau had received a letter from Perikatan on Sept 15 informing him of the appointment.
“It is hoped the appointed Opposition chief will be able to carry out his responsibility well,’’ said Lau.
Lau, who is a father of three, holds two degrees from Universiti Malaya.
The first is a degree in Chemical Engineering, which he obtained in 2002, and the second is a Bachelor in Jurisprudence he obtained in 2017.
Lau, who joined DAP in 2004, had worked as a process engineer in an oil and gas consultancy firm for three years upon graduation before becoming a career politician.
Meanwhile, after the House adjourned its sitting upon the completion of the swearing-in, all 22 Perikatan assemblymen held a press conference at the foyer of the legislative assembly’s annex building.
Flanked by Selangor PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi and former PAS commissioner Sallehen Mukhyi, who are the Sijangkang and Sabak assemblymen, respectively, Azmin announced the Opposition’s plans.
“We have formed a secretariat for Perikatan’s 22 elected representatives which will be led by lawyer Sasha Lyna Abdul Latif,’’ said Azmin, who was a former Selangor mentri besar.
“The secretariat will help the Perikatan assemblymen obtain reference materials and necessary resources to ensure Opposition-elected representatives are able to carry out succinct debates and discussions, as well as seek information through written and oral questions effectively during legislative assembly sittings.”
According to Azmin, the Opposition has also created 10 shadow exco portfolios and the 10 Perikatan elected representatives appointed to this team will be helped by other assemblymen.
