KUALA LUMPUR, December 19 — Former Sungai Petani MP and Former Pakatan Harapan Parliamentary Whip from PKR Datuk Johari Abdul has been elected as the new Dewan Rakyat Speaker replacing Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun. The election of the Speaker is the first item on the agenda for today’s special parliamentary sitting. Two names had been proposed for Speaker. Johari’s was suggested by Anwar and seconded by Deputy Prime Minister II Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Johari received 147 votes, while Radzi obtained 74 votes. The total is one short of the 222 MPs in the lower house. According to Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong, deputy economic affairs minister Hanifah Hajar Taib was absent for the vote. Other items on the table include a confidence motion on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, as well as the selection of Deputy Speakers and the swearing-in of all 222 MPs.
