The position of R Ganesan as speaker is the prerogative of the Perak State Assembly and not the opposition, said BN Menteri Besar Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.

ganesan perak state assembly speaker 070509 01"As Ganesan was appointed by the state assembly, let the state assembly decide whether he should remain as speaker," Zambry told reporters after presenting aid from Manjung Municipal Council to the poor in Seri Manjung, Perak today.

The opposition claimed that Ganesan, who was appointed as speaker on May 7, should be disqualified as speaker for holding two jobs - as speaker and as a lawyer - until Aug 11.

Ousted menteri besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin claimed that the former Sungkai assemblyman had infringed Article 36A (5) of the Perak Constitution by failing to relinquish his job as a lawyer within three months of his appointment.

Ganesan’s ‘two jobs’ a non-issue

Zambry said it was a non-issue as Ganesan had stated that he had relinquished his job as a lawyer on Aug 6, one day before the deadline he was required to do so.

He said Ganesan later told the press that he had received a letter from the Malaysian Bar Council dated Aug 20, confirming that he was no longer a practising lawyer and his legal firm had ceased operation.

Zambry said by raising the issue, the opposition made a conflicting stand on the position of Ganesan as speaker.

"On the one hand, they said they do not recognise Ganesan as speaker but on the other hand, they said he is not longer the valid speaker. They do not know where they stand and they seemed to be confused," he added.

- Bernama