Perak assembly to sit on May 7: Removal of speaker on the cards
The Perak political turmoil has now shifted from the courtrooms to the state assembly that would convene on May 7, six days before the compulsory six-month deadline to hold the sitting expires.
It is understood that notices for the sitting were sent out today by state assembly secretary Abdullah Antong Sabri. Under normal circumstances, such notices will only be issued under the speaker’s instructions.
Adding to the confusion, Abdullah Antong was suspended indefinitely by Speaker V Sivakumar on March 2 for insubordination and was replaced by Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki.
Contacted today, Pantai Remis assemblyperson Nga Kor Ming said the notice for the state assembly was “very unusual” given that the speaker had not instructed the secretary to do so.
“According to Parliamentary conventions in Commonwealth countries, the secretary acts on the directives of the speaker. Sivakumar is the only legitimate speaker and it is very unusual and extraordinary of the secretary to do so.
“Can you imagine Pandikar (Amin, Parliament speaker) not authorising a sitting, but the secretary issues such a notice? Whatever it is, the secretary must discuss matters with the speaker,” he said.
