KUALA LUMPUR: I will assume nothing has changed unless someone writes to me, says Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul over the status of the Opposition Leader.
Johari said this is regardless of any developments outside of the lower House.
“Whatever happens outside, in whichever party, as long as there is no black-and-white or notice to me, I will assume that nothing has happened.
“Only if someone writes in to me, I will conduct my investigation and make a decision.
“At the moment, nothing has developed yet, so I assume that there is nothing going on,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Feb 23).
RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) had asked about Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin’s status as Opposition Leader and his seating position.
The Larut MP and Bersatu deputy president was sacked from the party 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.
