Rebuffing Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei’s demand, Gerawat Gala said the appointment of the state assembly speaker is made by the governor on the advice of the chief minister under Article 15(1)(a) of the state constitution.
Wong had asked Amar to resign after he was referred to the Committee of Privileges for allegedly challenging the speaker’s impartiality.
Gerawat said the chief minister, as the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leader, commands the confidence and support of 72 elected members out of 82 when compared with Wong, who has the support of just seven members from DAP.
According to the deputy speaker, there was no parliamentary precedent anywhere in the world to heed the call of a party with just seven members demanding the removal of an assembly speaker against the overwhelming majority of the elected party.
“It is unthinkable for such a demand to be taken seriously.
“No subsequent speaker’s tenure would last more than three months if Wong’s demand was taken seriously.”
Gerawat said Wong had been referred to the Committee of Privileges for his offensive, acrimonious and vitriolic remarks made against the Dewan, the executive and the speaker, thereby abusing his privilege as a member.
“His referral to the Committee of Privileges is consistent with Westminster Parliamentary and Standing Order 89 and under Erskine May’s ‘Parliamentary Practice’, 24th edition.
“The decision is consistent with Jeyaretnam’s case in Singapore where he was referred to the Committee of Privileges for his remarks against Parliament and the prime minister,” he said.
On Feb 18, Gerawat had chaired the Committee of Privileges. This committee’s chairman is the speaker.
“The definition of ‘speaker’ includes deputy speaker under Standing Order 2 of the state assembly’s Privileges and Powers Ordinance 2007,” Gerawat said.
The proceedings of the Committee of Privileges will be compiled in a report and tabled in the coming state assembly sitting, he said.
“This report will be debated and Wong can defend himself against any recommendations of the committee.”