KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (BN-Pengerang) has made a comeback as the Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker temporarily.
In accordance with the parliamentary Standing Order 7(3), Azalina said she was asked by Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun to temporarily take up the post despite resigning from the same position last month.
Her return caught members of parliament by surprise with some congratulating her on the "reappointment".
However, Azalina explained that SO 7(3) only allowed her to chair today's session temporarily and that it was not a reappointment.
Subsequently, Hassan Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) asked Azalina to explain if the decision to let her preside over today's sitting was done in accordance with the SO.
"It is done under SO 7(3). It is just temporary, like 'mutaah' (consolatory payment), just for a while.
"So, it could be a different person on Monday or Tuesday (next week). I was asked to chair temporarily," she told the Lower House today.
Sim Tze Tzin (PH-Bayan Baru) said he welcomed Azalina's return to the deputy speaker seat while expressing disappointment that the Pengerang MP had resigned last month.
Sim said there was an urgent need for a new deputy speaker to be appointed immediately, adding that the government was wrong to postpone the appointment.
"This job is a big responsibility and this House is scheduled to meet until December and you (Azalina) have the capability and deserving of the post, or even as the Speaker.
"I saw news reports saying Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia disagreed with Umno's plan to appoint you as the Speaker and I believe such internal disagreement should be resolved.
"We can't let the parliament not have enough speaker or deputy speakers and as we can see now, you had to be reappointed to take on the job temporarily so let's choose a new deputy speaker soon," he said.
On Aug 23, Azalina confirmed her resignation as the deputy Dewan Rakyat speaker, saying the decision was to allow both the government and opposition to "reset" the Dewan Rakyat.
SO 7(3) stipulated that the Speaker may at any time during a sitting ask a member to take the Chair temporarily, without formal communication to the House, and such member shall be invested with all the powers of the Speaker, until the Speaker returns.