IPOH: There is a change in the Opposition bloc’s seating arrangements at the Perak state assembly, says Datuk Muhammad Zahir Abdul Khalid.
The Perak Speaker informed the August House that there has been a slight change in the seating arrangement on the Opposition bench to accommodate a request by Perikatan Nasional.
“As the Speaker and on behalf of the House, we have tried our best to accommodate this request.
“Let us hope that all members of the House will be able to carry out their duties more effectively and efficiently in this honourable chamber,” he said at the state assembly Monday (April 21).
However, the changes were not what Perikatan Nasional had asked for.
The Opposition coalition had requested a change of seating arrangements between Sungai Manik assemblyman Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharudin and Changkat Jong assemblyman Nadziruddin Mohamed Bandi.
However, the change was only made for Nadziruddin's seat, where he has been moved to sit on the same row as Kuala Kurau assemblyman Datuk Abdul Yunus Jamahri and Batu Kurau assemblyman Datuk Mohd Najmuddin Elias.
He is now seated at Bota assemblyman Dr Najihatussalehah Ahmad's spot, while Zainol remains at his current seat.
On Sunday (April 20), Muhammad Zahir confirmed receiving a letter from Perikatan Nasional, and said that a reply was sent to the Opposition coalition on Friday (April 18).
He had said that the assembly would try to accommodate Perikatan’s request as long as it complied with the assembly’s standing orders, rules and established conventions.
State Perikatan chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu had earlier said that the coalition had requested a change to the seating arrangement.
He explained that since Zainol had resigned as Perak Bersatu secretary and was replaced by Nadziruddin, 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.
Zainol, who was the Opposition whip, continues to sit next to Gunung Semanggol assemblyman Razman Zakaria and Selama assemblyman Mohd Akmal Kamarudin.
