KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 21): Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun today explained that he rescinded the invitation for the Teluk Intan Member of Parliament (MP) to temporarily preside over the sitting yesterday afternoon on his own accord, without any pressure from any party. The issue was raised by Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka), who asked for an explanation of the allegation that there was a senior minister interfering in the affairs of the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat and wanted the senior minister to be named. “There is a report that a senior minister has blocked the Speaker’s authority to invite Teluk Intan as Speaker yesterday. I want to know if the senior minister is in the Dewan Rakyat now,” he said. Azhar, however, said based on Article 7(3) of the Standing Orders of the Dewan Rakyat, it is in his power to request a member from among the members of the Dewan Rakyat to preside the session.
