KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul says he has yet to receive a notice on the appointment of the new Opposition leader.
"We have not received anything so far. It is status quo until we receive it in black and white," he told reporters after a buka puasa event with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and MPs in Parliament on Tuesday (Feb 24).
Johari said he has also yet to be notified of seating changes following the sacking of several Bersatu MPs from the party.
This includes Opposition leader and Larut MP Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin on Feb 3.
PAS, the Perikatan Nasional 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 reads.
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 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. 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.
