Syukri Razab, a PKR Youth strategist, questioned the need to delay, pointing out that the coalition had full control over Parliament.
“It has already been clearly stated in PH’s manifesto that the Dewan Rakyat speaker will be from among its elected MPs and Senate members. PH wants to do this to bring back the good name of Parliament.
“They (PH) say they can still do this in five years of its government. But why does this have to be delayed given PH has full control over Parliament ever since it won the 14th General Elections (GE14)?,” Syukri told FMT when contacted.
This week, Pakatan manifesto committee chairman Rais Hussin said that PH could still make a change during its five-year term, after questions arose about the choice of former judge Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof.
Ariff, who is not a member of either house, was elected unopposed as the new Dewan Rakyat speaker on Monday.
Branding Rais’ comments on the matter as a “joke”, Syukri said electing a new speaker midway would be akin to “willy-nilly changing class monitors in a primary school”.
If a new speaker was not elected, questions would arise among the public of whether PH would go back on other promises, such as abolishing the Universities and University Colleges Act or the controversial National Civics Bureau.
Syukri also said that PH leaders in the government should accept that there had been a U-turn and give a proper explanation.
Syukri said all Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed and any other government leaders vocal on the matter had to do was accept there was a U-turn in their policies, and give proper explanations as to why they could not do so now.
“I think Rais should not get caught up in this ‘denial syndrome’. Denying something this tangible will only cause the people to reconsider Pakatan Harapan’s leadership and associate it with Barisan Nasional’s,” he said.
He added his comments should not be perceived as personal attacks, but simply a reminder to PH to be firm in keeping to their word and promises to Malaysians.
“What is more important is to take into consideration our input and concerns if PH is going back on a promise.”
Rais told FMT previously that there were guidelines and protocols already in place for a speaker to be changed. In the past, new speakers had been suggested and sworn in even during an active government term, he added.
Pakatan Harapan chairman Mahathir Mohamad has defended the choice of Ariff as the speaker, by saying the PH manifesto was not a “bible” but a guide, and that some things had to be done out of practicality.
Manifesto not a bible, says Dr M in defence of speaker’s appointment