Perak speaker vows he won’t be a pushover

(NST) – Perak assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar is not going to be “pushed” out by the new majority in the house.

“Everybody knows that the speaker is vested with powers… I can reject or allow a motion. However, I would not say whether it will accepted or rejected and no decision had been made on any matters yet,” Sivakumar said.

He said the Malacca state assembly speaker recently rejected a motion while the Parliament speaker had rejected hundreds of motions.

He was speaking to reporters after a meeting attended by Pakatan Rakyat leaders here yesterday.

Sivakumar said the PR leaders raised several issues, including on security in the house.

“I will hold a meeting with police and other relevant authorities,” he said.

The motion to remove Sivakumar as speaker will be tabled by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and seconded by Sungai Rapat state assemblywoman Datuk Hamidah Osman.

Former menteri besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said all Pakatan Rakyat state assemblymen would attend the sitting, contrary to earlier reports that they will boycott the assembly.

This followed discussions among leaders of Pas, Parti Keadilan Rakyat and DAP and their state assemblymen.