KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition lawmakers from Barisan Nasional and Pas walked out of Parliament this morning in protest over the appointment of former Court of Appeal judge Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof as the new Dewan Rakyat Speaker.
The MPs claimed Ariff's appointment did not follow the “point of order” and was a breach of house rules.
Their protests came to a head when Kota Baru MP Takiyuddin Hassan (PAS) interrupted the Dewan Rakyat secretary while she was announcing Ariff’s appointment.
The Pas MP kept shouting out “point of order!” and repeatedly asked if this was the “Malaysia Baharu (New Malaysia)” which had come about after the 14th general election (GE14).
According to the Standing Order, he said, the nomination of any Parliament Speaker must be made at least 14 days prior to the start of the first Dewan Rakyat sitting.
Following this, all opposition MPs, including Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, walked out of the assembly in protest.
Only Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin Kimanis MP Datuk Seri Anifah Aman remained in the hall.
Ariff took his oath this morning after his nomination was announced by Dewan Rakyat secretary Datuk Seri Rosmee Hamzah. No other names were proposed for the post.
The motion for Ariff's appointment was tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad and seconded by his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
The opposition MPs staged the walkout during Dr Mahathir’s tabling of the motion. Despite the brouhaha, Dr Mahathir flashed a smile and continued with the tabling.