DAP Youth chief Wong Kah Woh has slammed four Perak PAS state assemblypersons for abstaining from voting for the Perak state legislative assembly speaker.

Describing the move as “very disappointing”, Wong, a Perak DAP state assemblyperson, said PAS has shown its true colours by giving Barisan Nasional the win.

Former Perak MIC Wanita chief S Thangasvari was today chosen as the new Perak state legislative assembly speaker after she garnered 30 votes compared to the 24 obtained by the opposition candidate, Batu Gajah MP V Sivakumar.

Wong said if the four PAS assemblypersons were united with them as the opposition, the opposition would prove that it is a formidable force against BN, as shown in the years 2008 to 2015, before the break up of Pakatan Rakyat.

“Even though PAS is not with Pakatan Harapan, it is still in the opposition,” Wong said in a statement today.

The Canning assemblyperson added that with PAS opting to remain neutral, it had only helped the BN candidate to win the Perak assembly speaker’s post easily.

“PAS is clearly more inclined to accept the olive branch offered by Umno at the party’s annual general meeting in December last year.

“We don’t see PAS playing its role as the opposition in issues plaguing the country, such as the 1MDB scandal,” Wong added.

When contacted, Perak PAS commissioner Razman Zakaria (photo) said the four abstained from voting as they are neither with BN, nor are they with Pakatan Harapan.

“We are not together with them. If we vote, what are we voting for?

“We do not support Pakatan Harapan and BN. We are independent,” Razman told Malaysiakini.

Asked why PAS did not nominate its own candidate for the speaker’s post, Razman admitted that they would not be able to win if they had done so.

“For what purpose should we enter a battle (when) we don’t have any chance?”

Gender equality

Meanwhile, Wanita MIC leader M Mohana said Thangasvari’s selection as speaker was a recognition of Indian women under the leadership of MIC president Dr S Subramaniam.

“For the first time in history, an Indian lady has been appointed as a speaker. We wholeheartedly congratulate Thangasvari for being appointed as Perak state legislative assembly speaker,” Mohana said in a statement today.

Hailing the decision of the Perak state government, Mohana said although it would not be an easy feat, Wanita MIC is confident that Thangasvari would excel in her job.

“Under the tutelage of Subramaniam, Wanita MIC is creating histories and going to greater heights.

“We are proud of our country under the BN government when it comes to gender equality and the performance of the female gender, which is looked down on in so many societies around the world,” Mohana added.

Meanwhile PKR Kuala Sepetang assemblyperson Chua Yee Ling also congratulated Thangasvari for becoming the first woman speaker in Perak's history, and the second women to hold such a post in Malaysia.

She said she hoped it reflected the Perak government's commitment towards gender equality and promoting women to leading positions in public service.

However, she reminded all not to just aim to increase the number of women in the state assembly or appoint a woman speaker.

She said all quarters needed to seriously look for ways to increase the effectiveness and impact of women leadership in high positions.

Chua also urged the new speaker to be fair and nonpartisan, and look into introducing serious reforms to increase the credibility of the Perak State Assembly.

She reminded Thangasvari of the reforms the state opposition proposed in 2013, which were rejected.

Among the proposals included were official recognition for the opposition leader as a member of the state exco, the introduction of a freedom of information law, as well as select committees to oversee local government, land administration and government-linked companies.

"I would like to take the election of the new Speaker as a good start and look forward to see a real reforms in the Perak State Assembly," said Chua.

Additional reporting by LU WEI HOONG