AYER KEROH: Melaka Umno Liaison chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh has been elected as the new state assembly speaker.
The matter was decided at the first meeting of the third term of the 14th State Legislative Assembly today.
He garnered 16 votes from the 17 Perikatan Nasional state assemblymen who were present.
The Opposition state assemblymen were not present in the 28-strong state assembly sitting reconvened after it was adjourned earlier.
The motion involving Ab Rauf's appointment was read out by Chief Minister Datuk Sulaiman Md Ali and was supported by Datuk Seri Abd Ghafaar Atan (BN-Asahan).
Sulaiman said Ab Rauf's appointment is according to the rules of procedure and standing orders of the assembly.
He added that the state secretary and legal advisor were consulted before PN reconvened for a proceeding after the previous State Assembly Speaker Datuk Wira Omar Jaafar, aligned to Pakatan Harapan had adjourned the assembly sine die.
"We have adhered to all the requirements to elect a Speaker as Pakatan no longer commands the majority support of the assembly," he Sulaiman said.
State Assembly Opposition leader Adly Zahari, however, has threatened that the pact would take the matter to court and seek a declaration that the appointment was null and void.
He said it was unlawful to reconvene a proceeding without prior notice and with the absence of opposition lawmakers.
Omar had adjourned the state assembly sine die in the morning after the sitting descended into chaos after members of the government bench proposed for a change in the speaker.
The ruckus started around 9.45am when Datuk Seri Idris Harun (BN-Sungai Udang) moved a motion to oust Omar because Pakatan no longer commanded a majority.
This was followed by the opposition bench slamming the former CM for his remarks and there were also demand that he be ejected from the august house for insulting the assembly.
Lawmakers from both sides of the political divide then descended into a verbal argument including name-calling.