Teng Chang Kim as Dewan Speaker
I fully agreed with the Selangor MB that YB Teng is the best candidate for the Selangor State Assembly Speaker. We were together for 3 terms and I dare say that I have also seen him many times being “bullied” by BN members.
Now that he will be on the other side, he can either take revenge or conduct the Assembly properly, i.e. treat everyone whether Pakatan Rakyat (PR) or Barisan Nasional (BN) representatives fairly. I believe he will choose the later. If it is so, he shall set the trend that every speaker in whatever State Assembly or Parliament should treat all members fairly, no matter which political divide they are from. This can be seen in matured democracies. We will then see better debate and I believe this is one of the indications of proper democracy.
We may also ask why he is not appointed to the State EXCO as the post is better politically than Speaker. He is definitely more experienced and knowledgeable on Selangor issues than the other PR reps. Of course we know he cannot get along with Lim Guan Eng. This may be the reason. Similarly in BN’s time, this post is reserved for senior UMNO guys who cannot get along with the MB or more senior than the MB. I remember Dato’ Zainal Dahalan was appointed speaker during Mohd Taib’s time and Dato’ Onn Ismail during Khir Toyo’s time. All those 3 speakers were either more senior than the MB’s or cannot get along with them. It was a convenient way to appoint them speaker as the post is “seemingly” seen as more prestigious but politically not so.
Another interesting point to note is whether YB Teng will wear the songkok once he is appointed the Speaker? During the 3 terms I served together with him, he had always refused to wear the songkok. Let us wait and see. In fact all DAP reps whether in Parliament or State Assembly had previously refused to wear songkok but wear western suits instead. Time have changed as can be seen in Perak and Penang.
To me, songkok is a cultural thing and not religious issue. I have worn them many times before.
Lee Hwa Beng
22nd April 2008
Name : Jennifer Cheong
Email : jennifercheong@yahoo.com
Phone : 0123666453
Message :
Congratulations to YB Teng Chang Khim for elected as Speaker for Dewan Undangan Negeri !
You are the proud of Klang people ! Klang celebrate your victory TODAY !
Work all out, work smart and fight for a better Klang ! Klang boleh ! Klang need you to develop, improve and be the best Bandar Raya in Selangor !
Your supporter :Jennifer