Deputy Speaker Azalina Othman Confirms Resignation, Cites Multiple Reasons
She also says Parliamentary Speakers should be suspended from their political party posts, citing her own experience as an UMNO Supreme Council member.
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Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said has confirmed that she will be resigning from her post.
In a statement Azalina said she made the decision for several reasons, following the appointment of the new Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and the people’s strong and clear demand for multi-party cooperation.
She also mentioned that among the reasons for her resignation was to put public speculation to rest – with rumours linking her to the Cabinet.
It’s reported by Berita Harian that the Pengerang MP has sent the letter of resignation to Parliament.
I am resigning today so that the government and the opposition have more room to reorganize the Dewan Rakyat so that it can truly function as a forum for competition and professional cooperation between the parties on policy and governance.
Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said
She was appointed on July 13 last year, under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration, replacing Teluk Intan MP, Nga Kor Ming. In total, she held the position for 13 months.
Conflict of interests
In the statement, Azalina also said she was thankful for the opportunity to hold the post and said that she tried her best to perform her duties faithfully and impartially, but mentioned that she could not run away from weaknesses and shortcomings.
There is a conflict of roles and responsibilities between being a member of the UMNO Supreme Working Council (MKT) and a Member of Parliament in a coalition government. What has happened before shows the opposite result in UMNO as a party and Member of Parliament of a coalition government.
Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said
In the future, she said, the the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat should be suspended from any political party post to ensure that the person does not take sides in politics, which Azalina said is key for them to carry out their functions effectively without fear or favor.
Azalina wants nonpartisan Speaker and Deputy Speakers in the future
The Pengerang MP also reflected on the developments over the past 17 months, on things such as institutional flaws in Parliament and her limits to performing her duties well without compromising her professional integrity.
She also said that the lack of consultation and joint decisions also affected her performance as Deputy Speaker.
My personal value system related to the rule of law, parliamentary democracy, check and balance since the Declaration of Emergency in January 2021 is consistent. My frustrations and difficulties are well known and the reasons are known. My official capacity is guaranteed by the law and the process of upholding the Federal Constitution and the Rules of the House of Representatives by all means.
Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said
She cited the Parliament’s Standing Orders, that disallows the Deputy Speaker to make their own decisions in the House.
Shared decision making and responsibility, impartiality, fairness, and mutual respect are the key elements which I wish to see in the Malaysian Parliament.
Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said
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