Johari resigns as Gurun assemblyman, strengthens rumour on nomination as Speaker

SHAH ALAM – Speculations on former Sungai Petani MP Datuk Johari Abdul being nominated as Parliament Speaker could be a reality as he announced his resignation from his post as Gurun assemblyman.

In a statement via Whatsapp video, the Kedah State Assembly opposition leader confirmed that he had sent a letter to the Kedah State Assembly Speaker, Datuk Juhari Bulat, for that purpose and that it had been received on Dec 13, 2022.

According to the former Kedah Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) chairman, the gist of the letter explained that he informed the Kedah State Assembly Speaker that the Gurun state assembly seat he previously held was vacated with immediate effect on the date the letter was sent.

"On this occasion, I would like to say a thousand thanks to Datuk Speaker, who has given me the space to participate actively in the Kedah State Assembly.

"I would also like to thank all the people of Gurun and my voters there.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you have already given me extraordinary cooperation and trust in carrying out my duties as Gurun assemblyman.

“God willing we will meet again and I am confident that our good relationship will last in developing Kedah," he said in a video statement sent via the WhatsApp application to Sinar Harian on Sunday.

Previously, Johari's name was mentioned among the candidates for the Parliament Speaker position who held the first term meeting of the Dewan Rakyat's first session after the 15th General Election (GE15) on Nov 19.

In addition to Johari's name representing the government bloc, the name of former Kangar MP Tan Sri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad had also been nominated by the opposition bloc led by Perikatan Nasional (PN) for the position.

Based on the Dewan Rakyat meeting procedures, the vote of confidence in the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's leadership, is placed as the most important business of the meeting, followed by appointment of the new Dewan Rakyat Speaker.

The next order of the meeting was followed by the swearing-in ceremony of the Parliament members who won GE15, followed by the election of two Deputy Parliament Speakers.

On Dec 2, the media reported that Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun confirmed that he would vacate his position as the Speaker before the Parliament convened.

For the position of Deputy Parliament Speaker, Lanang MP from DAP, Alice Lau and Cameron Highlands MP Ramli Md Nor from Barisan Nasional (BN) were reported to be nominated for the government bloc.

PN was reported to have nominated the former Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law), Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, for the position of Deputy Parliament Speaker.

Meanwhile, a source from the Parliament Office said that a politician nominated for the position of Parliament Speaker should give up his position as a people’s representative at the state assembly level to avoid duplication of assignments.