Dewan Rakyat turns rowdy over opposition leader changes
2 hours ago
Chia Wan Rou
Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong criticises the frequent changes in leadership positions among opposition leaders
Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong and Kota Bharu MP Takiyuddin Hassan traded barbs in the Dewan Rakyat over the opposition leader post.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat descended into chaos today following a heated exchange between government and opposition lawmakers over Hamzah Zainudin’s (PN-Larut) position as opposition leader.
The commotion began when Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) rose to defend Hamzah’s position, stressing that the appointment did not contravene Article 49A of the Federal Constitution.
“Larut (Hamzah) is not an independent MP. Instead, he is under a legally registered party, so there is no issue of violating Article 49A,” he said.
Article 49A, commonly known as the anti-party hopping law, requires MPs who leave or are no longer members of the party under which they were elected to vacate their seats, triggering a by-election.
Hamzah was expelled from Bersatu on Feb 13. He was later appointed president of Parti Wawasan Negara as part of a newly announced central leadership line-up comprising veteran politicians, former ministers, MPs and professionals.
He served as opposition leader after the 2022 general election, stepping down in April amid internal turmoil in Bersatu.
Takiyuddin’s remarks in the Dewan Rakyat drew criticism from the government bloc, particularly Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka), who criticised the frequent changes in leadership positions among opposition leaders, describing them as inconsistent.
“The opposition leader keeps changing all of a sudden like that… not professional at all,” he said, triggering uproar and cheers from both sides of the House.
The situation was eventually calmed by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul, who stepped in to deliver a final ruling.
“I have already explained. I have carefully examined all the documentation and I confirm that Larut is the opposition leader, so there is no question about it,” he said, bringing the exchange to an end before directing the House to continue with the debate.
Johari earlier confirmed that Hamzah had resumed his role as opposition leader in the Dewan Rakyat with effect from June 18.
The commotion began when Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) rose to defend Hamzah’s position, stressing that the appointment did not contravene Article 49A of the Federal Constitution.
“Larut (Hamzah) is not an independent MP. Instead, he is under a legally registered party, so there is no issue of violating Article 49A,” he said.
Article 49A, commonly known as the anti-party hopping law, requires MPs who leave or are no longer members of the party under which they were elected to vacate their seats, triggering a by-election.
Hamzah was expelled from Bersatu on Feb 13. He was later appointed president of Parti Wawasan Negara as part of a newly announced central leadership line-up comprising veteran politicians, former ministers, MPs and professionals.
He served as opposition leader after the 2022 general election, stepping down in April amid internal turmoil in Bersatu.
Takiyuddin’s remarks in the Dewan Rakyat drew criticism from the government bloc, particularly Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka), who criticised the frequent changes in leadership positions among opposition leaders, describing them as inconsistent.
“The opposition leader keeps changing all of a sudden like that… not professional at all,” he said, triggering uproar and cheers from both sides of the House.
The situation was eventually calmed by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul, who stepped in to deliver a final ruling.
“I have already explained. I have carefully examined all the documentation and I confirm that Larut is the opposition leader, so there is no question about it,” he said, bringing the exchange to an end before directing the House to continue with the debate.
Johari earlier confirmed that Hamzah had resumed his role as opposition leader in the Dewan Rakyat with effect from June 18.
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