The Dewan Rakyat speaker confirms Hamzah Zainudin as Opposition leader after weeks of uncertainty, sparking a heated exchange in the house.
PETALING JAYA: Parliament’s new sitting opened in acrimony today as Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul was forced to intervene after a government backbencher accused Perikatan Nasional (PN) of infighting over the confirmation of Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin’s return as Opposition leader.
Invoking Standing Order 4A(3), Johari confirmed that Hamzah held the post until May 20, before Kemaman MP Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar took over from May 21 to June 10, with Hamzah reinstated effective Thursday.
“I would like to express appreciation to the honourable member for Kemaman for his service and welcome the honourable member for Larut back.“
The row erupted when Khoo Poay Tiong (Kota Melaka-PH) challenged Opposition chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (Kota Bharu-PN), saying the frequent changes to the post exposed a power struggle within PN.
“The Opposition leader suddenly keeps changing like this. That means there is a fight between PAS and Bersatu. PAS is bullying Bersatu,“ said Khoo, drawing an angry reaction from the opposition bloc.
Johari shut it down.
“I have examined and scrutinised all the documentation and I have confirmed earlier that the member for Larut is the Opposition leader right now. So, no further questions. Perhaps Kota Melaka came in late and missed my explanation.“
The reshuffle also saw former PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin moved from the front bench.
Separately, Johari confirmed casual vacancies in the Pandan and Setiawangsa seats after Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad relinquished their MP memberships on May 18, with the Election Commission notified under Article 54(1).
Hamzah’s return caps weeks of political uncertainty.
The Larut MP announced the formation of Parti Wawasan Negara at the Reset convention in Tanah Merah on June 13, with the party name said to have been suggested by PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, and said it would work alongside PAS, Gerakan and other allies.
