Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Khusrin in shaky position as Bill looms

The proposed amendment to the Selangor constitution allowing the state and sultan the power to appoint the top three state government officers can be made retrospective, said Selangor speaker Teng Chang Khim.

"If the proposed Bill states that the amendment will take effect from Jan 1, 2011 then it will be retrospective," he told reporters in Shah Alam today.

If the proposed amendment has retrospective effect, it would have a bearing on the appointment of the new state secretary Mohammed Khusrin Munawi, which has drawn flak from Pakatan Rakyat leaders.

However, Teng said, it is premature to say whether this will take place as he has yet to see the Bill.
 
Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/152356

In addition, Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim has not yet written formally to state why he wants to call an emergency state assembly meeting.

Teng also clarified that, as the state assembly sitting has been adjourned to March, royal consent is not required for an emergency meeting.

He said that Standing Order 10(3) states that the speaker can call an emergency state assembly meeting if he finds that the reason given by the menteri besar is "of public importance".

The MB had informed him verbally of his intention yesterday, but no decision can be made before the reasons for the meeting are stipulated in writing, said Teng.
Any amendment to a Bill must be gazetted 14 days prior to tabling of the motion, but this can be waived by the speaker.

Teng also said that amending the constitution would require the consent of two-thirds of the House.

Pakatan Rakyat, which holds 35 of the 56 Selangor assembly seats, is three seats shy of commanding that majority.

“This is not my concern because I will pass (the amendment) if it receives two-thirds support and will not if it does not.

“But we should not assume that it will not be passed... as the MB may be able to convince some opposition (BN) representatives to his cause."
'No precedent for no-confidence motion'

Meanwhile, commenting on Pakatan's intention to table a motion of no-confidence against Mohammed Khusrin , Teng said that no such precedent has been set as the latter is a civil servant.

“Under normal circumstances, the motion is against an elected member of government, and it occurs when someone misconducts himself.

“Unless there is good reason and the mover of the motion can convince the House of such, then it will be difficult."

He added that a no-confidence motion is considered an ordinary motion and 14 days' notice is required.

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