Ahmad Maslan agreed to be nominated as deputy speaker, says Umno man

Pontian MP Ahmad Maslan has agreed to be nominated as deputy Dewan Rakyat speaker to replace Azalina Othman Said, according to Umno veteran Nazri Aziz.

Nazri, the Padang Rengas MP, told Malay daily Utusan Malaysia that Ahmad had conveyed his agreement during a recent meeting.

“Yes, it is true that Ahmad is the candidate of the government bloc for the post of deputy speaker,” he said.

“We have met with him, and he agreed.”

MalaysiaNow previously reported that Umno leaders aligned with Najib Razak were pushing for Ahmad to be given the post of deputy speaker following the resignation of Azalina last month.

Party sources said Ahmad’s name had been suggested and was awaiting approval from other members of the current government.

But concern was voiced over the prospect of obtaining the support of government MPs, especially from the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition.

Ahmad is among a group of former leaders from the previous Barisan Nasional government known as the “court cluster”, who are facing court charges related to corruption and money laundering.

PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin had made it clear that his coalition would not back individuals facing criminal charges for any role in the administration.