Proposal for deputy speaker from opposition gets resounding ‘aye’

[superadmin]

PETALING JAYA: A graft watchdog has welcomed a suggestion that an opposition MP be appointed deputy speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, saying it could herald a move towards mature politics.

Rasuah Busters founder Hussamuddin Yaacub told FMT the public would see such an appointment as a relief from months of intense political squabbling.

“It’s a baby step towards new politics, towards mature politics,” he said.

The suggestion came yesterday from outgoing deputy speaker Azalina Othman Said.

Hussamuddin said bipartisanship was crucial for the country’s political development.

He praised Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and PH leaders for reaching a consensus on reforms, saying this would smoothen cooperation in Parliament.


He called for professionalism from all MPs, who must quit the habit of shouting and name-calling during their debates.

Political analyst Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said the opposition had many qualified and legally trained candidates to take on the post of deputy speaker.

He described Nga Kor Ming, Hannah Yeoh, Gobind Singh Deo and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad as the obvious choices.


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