Dewan Rakyat Secretary Replaced, Allegedly Over No-Confidence Motion Against PM
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Secretary to the Dewan Rakyat (SUDR) Riduan Rahmat has been replaced seemingly due to the Opposition’s motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyddin Yassin.
Malay Mail reported the news with a source from the Parliament who believed the SUDR was replaced for allegedly trying to keep the no-confidence motion by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal a secret.
Riduan, who was only just appointed to the role on 22nd February, is demoted to the role of Dewan Negara management secretary, which he held previously from 2014 to February this year.
He also began his civil service career in 1989 as an administrative officer at the Parliament.
(Credit: parlimen.gov.my)
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Yusof released a statement today to confirm the appointment of Nizam Mydin Bacha Mydin as the 14th Secretary to the Dewan Rakyat, replacing Riduan.
Nizam was the Deputy Department Secretary, Cabinet, Constitution and Inter-Government Relation Division in the Prime Minister’s Department. The former lawyer also served as an Administrative and Diplomatic Service Officer (PTD) at the Prime Minister’s Office in 2005.
Following news of the appointment, some criticisms were made regarding the validity of the appointment.
Senator Yusmadi Yusoff told Malay Mail that Riduan was appointed to the position by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong through the Parliamentary Services Act.
He underlined that the SUDR should be independent, experienced, and qualified, not someone from the executive branch which will be biased towards the government.
Senator Liew Chin Tong also took to Twitter to question if the move was constitutional in reference to Article 65 and Article 125 of the Federal Constitution that states proper discharge from the role must be decided by a tribunal appointed by the YDPA.
The SUDR is responsible for the proceedings of the Dewan Rakyat and assists the Speaker on matters regarding the Dewan during these proceedings.
Other duties include sending out notices for the commencement of meetings, collecting proposals, articles, Order Paper, votes and written enquiries from Members of Dewan Rakyat and producing verbatim reports of proceedings.
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