TAPAH: Perikatan Nasional Perak chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu has confirmed sending a letter to the Perak State Assembly Speaker's Office requesting a change in the seating arrangement of the opposition bloc.
He said this is a standard procedure and has happened before, such as during the Kemaman by-election when his side sent a letter to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker to place Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar more prominently than Putrajaya MP Datuk Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin.
Ahmad Faizal said that since Sungai Manik assemblyman, Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharudin resigned as the Secretary of Bersatu Perak and was replaced by Changkat Jong assemblyman Nadziruddin Mohamed Bandi, the seating change must be made based on hierarchy.
However, according to the Bersatu vice president, the request was denied on the grounds of seniority or members experience.
“It is strange how the Perak State Assembly Speaker's Office can mention seniority or the experience of assemblymen on our behalf. Strange, but it's okay, we accept it,” he said.
He said this when met by the media after a mega PN talk at Halaman Pasti Asy-Syakirin Kampung Tanjung Keramat on Saturday (April 20).
Previously, Sinar Harian reported that Perikatan sent a surprise letter to the Perak State Assembly Speaker's Office to change the seating of two Bersatu assemblymen.
It is understood that the proposed change involved Sungai Manik assemblyman, Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharudin, and Changkat Jong assemblyman, Nadziruddin Mohamed Bandi.
This matter was confirmed by the Perak State Assembly Speaker, Datuk Mohammad Zahir Abdul Khalid, who stated that the letter signed by Ahmad Faizal was received on April 16 during the Perak State Assembly session.
Mohammad Zahir stated that it is customary for the placement of assemblymen in the State Assembly to consider seniority or certain merits, such as length of service, experience as a state government Exco, and position in the party.
He noted that if the change is considered, it will occur during this session of the Perak State Assembly, which will resume next Monday.
Zainol Fadzi, who was the Opposition Whip Leader, previously sat next to Razman and Selama assemblyman, Mohd Akmal Kamarudin.
