PETALING JAYA: The Dewan Rakyat Speaker knows he will be the centre of attention as Parliament reconvenes today.
The media has been trying to get him over the fate of six Opposition MPs who have been sacked from their party.
ALSO READ: Bersatu terminates membership of six rogue MPs, says Hamzah
In the spotlight: Johari will be the centre of attention as Parliament reconvenes today.
Tan Sri Johari Abdul (pic) will have to decide whether the six former Bersatu MPs, who have shifted their support to the unity government, will have to vacate their seats according to the Anti-Hopping Law.
Apart from the rogue six MPs, the House will also see debates on the controversial amendments to the Federal Constitution on issues of citizenship at this meeting, which is the Second of the Third Session of the Fifteenth Parliament, scheduled from today till July 18.
The House will also have its hands full until next month as it will be debating several important Bills, including the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Repeal) Bill 2024 and the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (Amendment) Bill 2024, as well as amendments to the Medical Act 1971.
Political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said he expects a heated debate when it comes to the fate of the six rogue MPs.
“Malaysians, however, will want the best decision that should override the interest of any political parties or individuals, in the context of the Dewan Rakyat,” said Awang Azman of Universiti Malaya when contacted yesterday.
“The power lies in the Speaker’s hand, so all parties must remain calm and patient.”
ALSO READ: Speaker will decide on status of six rogue Bersatu MPs, says Zahid
On June 20, Bersatu parliamentary whip Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee said a notice that the Jeli, Gua Musang, Bukit Gantang, Kuala Kangsar, Tanjong Karang and Labuan seats have fallen vacant had been received by the Speaker’s Office.
The Nenggiri seat, held by Mohd Azizi Abu Naim, was also recently declared vacant by Kelantan state assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah after his membership was terminated.
Awang Azman said that based on the Parliament’s Order Paper, several other hot topics are expected to be debated and raised by MPs, namely issues related to cost of living, diesel smuggling, the restructuring of the diesel subsidy and the Israeli-Gaza war.
“I believe some of the issues will also touch on the six MPs who had pledged their support to the Prime Minister because they needed funding for their constituencies,” he said.
Dr Azmi Hassan of the Nusantara Strategic Research Academy agreed, saying that there will be some “fireworks” when it comes to issues related to the status of the six Bersatu MPs.
“Only the Speaker can defuse the situation in this particular situation by explaining what he will or will not do.
“This will be the best chance to give his explanation on the matter,” said Azmi, who is the academy’s Senior Fellow.
According to the Order Paper, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Azalina Othman Said is also expected to file a motion to refer Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee.
In Parliament on Feb 28 and March 21, Wan Saiful of Perikatan Nasional had claimed that the corruption charges against him would be dropped if he declared support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar.
In the motion, the government wants to determine whether Wan Saiful’s remarks “could be construed as detrimental to the interests of the parties in the case” and had misled Dewan Rakyat.
The motion also wants the Rights and Privileges Committee to take any information deemed necessary and thereafter make recommendations in a report for the consideration of the House.
During the last meeting, the debate and vote on the proposed amendments to the Federal Constitution concerning citizenship laws were postponed.
Shortly after Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail tabled the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024 for its second reading, Johari announced the adjournment of the meeting.
The amendments require the support of at least two-thirds or 148 of the MPs to be passed.
Pakatan Harapan backbencher Hassan Abdul Karim had previously asked the government to refer the bill to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee for further review.
The Bill has come under scrutiny over its possible impact on vulnerable groups and the government has already dropped two provisions from the proposed amendments that relate to citizenship for foundlings.
The government is also expected to table a Bill to amend Section 14 of the Medical Act 1971 to address issues related to the parallel pathway programme.
Section 14 involves the registration of specialists with the National Specialists Registry and the role of the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) in the process.
The Star reported in March that a shortage of cardiothoracic surgeons had left some 1,500 heart and lung disease patients in government hospitals in dire straits.
Malaysian graduates sent by the government to study cardiothoracic surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh are unable to practise in Malaysia as their qualifications are not accepted by the MMC.
