KUALA LUMPUR: The status of the Opposition leader will be one of the burning questions to be answered as the Dewan Rakyat reconvenes its meeting on Monday (Feb 23) after a week-long break for Chinese New Year and the start of Ramadan.
This comes following the sacking of Opposition leader and Larut MP Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin from Bersatu on Feb 13. PAS, the component party with the highest number of seats in the Opposition bloc, has said that the new leader will be appointed from its MPs.
The Dewan Rakyat Standing Orders 4a(1) states that there must be a leader of the Opposition in the House. Standing Order 4a(4) further provides that the decision of the Dewan Rakyat Speaker will be final if there is a dispute over the selection of a candidate to lead the Opposition bloc.
"If any doubt or dispute arises as to who is or has been the Leader of the Opposition at any material time, the question shall be decided by Tuan Yang di-Pertua and his decision which is certified in writing under his hand shall be final and conclusive," it read.
As at press time, there are no changes to seating positions with Hamzah still occupying the first seat in the G bloc. PAS vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, who is the Kemaman MP, has been named as the new Perikatan Nasional chairman following the resignation of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Jan 1.
It remains to be seen whether the Terengganu Mentri Besar, who is a first-time MP, will be the new Opposition leader in the august House. Other seasoned MPs could take on the role, including PAS chief Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, under whom Ahmad Samsuri once served as political secretary.
However, Abdul Hadi previously declined to succeed Muhyiddin as the Perikatan chief citing health issues, and the likelihood of him taking on the role of Opposition chief is slim. Other possible candidates include his deputy Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and Opposition chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.
