Perak Speaker’s Office will try to fulfil Perikatan’s request
IPOH: The Perak State Assembly Speaker’s Office will do its best to accommodate Perikatan Nasional’s request for a change to the opposition bloc’s seating arrangement, says Datuk Muhammad Zahir Abdul Khalid (pic).
Confirming that his office had received a letter from Perikatan, the Speaker said a reply was sent to the Opposition coalition on Friday.
“The assembly will try to accommodate Perikatan’s request as long as it complies with the assembly’s standing orders, rules and established conventions,” he said.
He was asked to comment on the statement by state Perikatan chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, who said the coalition had requested for a change to the seating arrangement.
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 executive councillor 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 today.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Faizal pointed out that the seating arrangement change is a standard procedure and has happened before.
He cited that after the Kemaman by-election, Perikatan had 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.
He explained that since Sungai Manik assemblyman Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharudin resigned as the Perak Bersatu secretary and was replaced by Changkat Jong assemblyman Nadziruddin Mohamed Bandi, the seating arrangement must be made based on hierarchy.
However, Ahmad Faizal claimed that the request was denied on grounds of seniority or members’ experience.
“It is strange how the Speaker’s Office can mention seniority or the experience of assemblymen on our behalf. Strange, but it’s okay, we accept it,” he told the media when met after a mega Perikatan ceramah at Kampung Tanjung Keramat.
Zainol Fadzi, who was the Opposition whip, previously sat next to Gunung Semanggol assemblyman Razman Zakaria and Selama assemblyman Mohd Akmal Kamarudin.
Perikatan’s request, if approved, will see Nadziruddin taking over the duties as Opposition leader, following Razman’s suspension from the assembly for six months.
Ahmad Faizal also denied that factions exist within the party.
He explained that with Zainol Fadzi elected to Bersatu’s supreme council, he has been tasked with heavier responsibilities at the national level.
“It is due to this that he resigned as the Perak Perikatan and Bersatu secretary, and Nadziruddin has taken over the role.
“I have no issues with Zainol Fadzi. There is no friction, probably just lack of communication,” he added.
