JOHOR BARU: April 21, 2008 by Meera Vijayan
Within minutes of being sworn in, the new Opposition state assemblymen were already raising their first issue – their sitting arrangements at the assembly.
Senai assemblyman Ong Kow Meng from DAP said he was unhappy that all six Opposition assemblymen had been seated in the last row of the hall.
“We feel segregated. Why can’t they seat us among our Barisan Nasional colleagues? We are the furthest away from the Speaker,” he said, adding that they would bring the matter up with newly appointed Speaker Datuk Ali Hassan.
Maharani assemblyman Dr Mohammad Taslim from PAS said that he hoped the Speaker would consider giving them new seats.
“We will like to be seated together, right in front of the Speaker,” he said adding that it would make it easier for the Opposition to raise issues and get the attention of the Speaker.
On whether the Opposition had appointed a leader for the assembly, Dr Mohammad said that although no formal discussions has been held yet, PAS was happy for the honour to be given to state DAP chairman and Skudai assemblyman Dr Boo Cheng Hau.
When contacted, Ali said that the seating had been given according to seniority, adding that seating positions were immaterial, as all assemblymen would be given a chance to speak and debate issues during the state assembly sessions.
In the first state assembly sitting here Monday, 56 newly elected representatives, including Opposition members, were sworn in, led by Johor Mentri Besar and Serom assemblyman Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman.
Also reappointed was Datuk Ali Hassan as the Dewan Speaker for the fourth term and Othman Jais as deputy Speaker.
At the close of the ceremony, Ali reminded all elected representatives to always follow the rules and be mindful of their conduct in the august house.
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