Retired Court of Appeal judge Mohamad Ariff to be new Dewan Rakyat Speaker

(NST) – Former Court of Appeal judge, Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof, who was tipped to be the new Dewan Rakyat Speaker, was expected to receive the appointment letter either today or tomorrow.

“I am still waiting for the official (appointment letter). We will have to (wait and) see because if the letter is issued tomorrow, it will be too close (to the parliament session on Monday).

“I don’t think (the letter will be issued) on Sunday,” he said when contacted today.

Ariff was commenting on media reports who had named him and another former Court of Appeal judge, Datuk Seri Mohd Hishamudin Yunus as the candidates for the position.

Meanwhile, Hishamudin when contacted, said his name had been dropped and that Mohamad Ariff was the sole candidate for the Speaker position.

“I did not receive (the letter of appointment), but I have read on the decision to appoint Datuk Ariff.

“My name was dropped when I read (on the decision) yesterday and the day before,” he said, confirming rumours on his candidacy.

Sungai Petani member of parliament and Gurun assemblyman, Datuk Johari Abdul, who was earlier tipped to be the next Dewan Rakyat Speaker, along with several names, including Tan Sri Rais Yatim, had turned down the appointment.

Article 57(4) of the Federal Constitution states that an assemblyman chosen to the post of Dewan Rakyat Speaker must relinquish the state seat before assuming the new role.

The first meeting of the first session of the 14th Parliament will be held for 20 days starting from Monday and will be opened by Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V.