PETALING JAYA: Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Mohd Rashid Hasnon’s statement that only the prime minister is responsible for reporting to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on parliamentary affairs was questioned by his colleague last night.
Azalina Othman Said reminded Rashid of their meeting with the King on June 29.
“YB (Rashid), didn’t we meet the YDPA (Yang di-Pertuan Agong) in person on June 29 2021?” she asked on Twitter, which also included a photo of the meeting.
Also seen in the photo were Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun, Dewan Negara president Rais Yatim and his deputy, Mohamad Ali Mohamad.
Earlier, Rashid had been quoted by a news portal as saying the responsibility to report all matters of Parliament rested with the prime minister, not the speaker of the Dewan Rakyat.
“There has not been any precedent where the Agong would directly communicate with the speaker on parliamentary affairs,” he was quoted as saying.
According to a source who spoke on condition of strict anonymity, the Palace had written a letter to Azhar on Aug 9 seeking an update on the number of MPs who supported Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
“The letter dated Aug 9, 2021, a copy of it (was sent) to both of us, have you read it yet @hjrashidjohor?” Azalina asked.-FMT