IPOH, July 3 ― Perak DAP adviser Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham was elected as the Perak State Assembly Speaker today.
His candidacy was proposed by Tebing Tinggi assemblyman Abdul Aziz Bari during the swearing-in ceremony of assemblymen at the State Secretariat building here today.
Ngeh polled 31 votes while his closest contender received 25.
Assembly secretary Kamarul Ariffin Ayub said three names were proposed by the end of the submission period on June 26.
“Pakatan Harapan proposed Ngeh, who is also Beruas MP, Barisan Nasional proposed fomer deputy speaker Datuk Nasarudin Hashim while PAS suggested its state deputy commissioner Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki,” said Kamarul.
The announcement was criticised by Datuk Saarani Mohamad (BN-Kota Tampan), who insisted there were four candidates for the post.
“The secretary should announce all names proposed,” he said.
Citing the Standing Orders, Kamarul said the remaining name need not be announced as it was rejected.
This caused an exchange as BN lawmakers demanded that the last name be publicly revealed.
“Be truthful. Both sides had proposed two names each. If there was a compromise, just announce the name of the person who rejected,” said former mentri besar Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir (BN-Pangkor).
When the sitting resumed, Ngeh took the Speaker’s seat and announced that only Behrang assemblyman Aminuddin Zulkipli was proposed as his deputy.
Zambry told the press later that PKR’s Siti Aishah Shaik Ismail had also been proposed, but withdrew.
He claimed the refusal to identify her as a candidate was inconsistent with democratic practices.
“Only after we pressured them, they admitted there were four and the name of the person who dropped out need not be named,” he said.
Zambry said the matter was serious as Siti Aishah’s name was submitted officially.
On the choice for state opposition leader, Zambry said they will consult PAS.
In the 14th general election, Barisan Nasional won 27 seats while PAS took three.
Two BN assemblymen later crossed over to Pakatan Harapan.
