KUALA LUMPUR – Selat Klang assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari has been temporarily placed in between the Selangor government and opposition benches in the state legislative assembly, which began its second sitting of the year today.
State assembly Speaker Lau Weng San said this placement was appropriate since Rashid did not “belong” to any side, following the termination of his Bersatu membership after he declared support for the Pakatan Harapan-led (PH) Selangor government.
Lau decided on Rashid’s seating today after Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (Hulu Klang-PN) kicked off the sitting by asking the speaker where Rashid should sit.
Azmin, who is the opposition leader in the legislative assembly, said Rashid should be placed on the government bench.
“He is no longer in the opposition bloc. This is to maintain the harmony of the honourable Dewan,” Azmin said.
Rashid’s seating change also affected three other assemblymen whom Lau instructed to move.
“Gombak Setia is to sit at Selat Klang’s seat, Jeram is to sit at Gombak Setia’s place and Sg Kandis is to sit at Jeram’s place,” the speaker said.
Lau reminded the assemblymen to respect each other’s right to freedom of speech and debate, including Rashid’s even though he did not represent any party.
On June 21, Azmin submitted a written notice of an unexpected vacancy for the Selat Kelang seat to Lau, following Bersatu’s termination of Rashid’s membership.
Rashid and six other Bersatu MPs were expelled from the party after failing to obey orders from Bersatu’s Supreme Council to pledge their loyalty to the party.
They did not obey the order as they had previously declared support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, or Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari in Rashid’s case as a Selangor assemblyman.
Bersatu is seeking to have them vacate their seats to pave the way for by-elections.
Lau, as legislative assembly speaker, has 21 days from the date of Azmin’s written notice to decide if Rashid remains an assemblyman or if he is to vacate his seat. – July 4, 2024