Azhar Harun To Officially Step Down As Dewan Rakyat Speaker On 18 December
Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun was appointed in July 2020 during an unprecedented political move that saw Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof becoming the first Speaker to be removed since the nation's independence.
By Sadho Ram — 02 Dec 2022, 12:51 PM
Incumbent Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun will officially step down from his post a day before the august house meets
He told The Star that he must vacate the chair of the Speaker by midnight on 18 December to comply with the Federal Constitution, adding that there will no Speaker when the Dewan Rakyat convenes.
The first session of the 15th Parliament will commence with the meeting of the Dewan Rakyat, which is scheduled for two days on Monday, 19 December, and Tuesday, 20 December.
This may see the Dewan Rakyat holding a vote to elect a new Speaker
According to Azhar, the proceedings will be conducted by Dewan Rakyat secretary Dr Nizam Mydin Bacha Mydin, who will first call the august house to order.
"Then comes the process of electing a Speaker. If there is only one name proposed, the secretary will proclaim the Speaker, who will then take his oath. However, an election must be held if more than one candidate is proposed for the post by the respective parties," The Star quoted Azhar as saying.
For the record, Azhar was appointed in July 2020 during an unprecedented political move that saw Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof becoming the first Speaker to be removed since independence. Azhar's appointment was unopposed after the opposition was not allowed to nominate an alternative candidate.
