ISKANDAR PUTERI (Aug 27): Buloh Kasap assemblyman Datuk Zahari Sarip was on Thursday appointed as the Speaker of the 16th Johor State Legislative Assembly.
His nomination was proposed by Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi during the first meeting of the 16th Johor State Legislative Assembly at the Sultan Ismail Building, Kota Iskandar, here on Thursday.
The motion was seconded by Bukit Permai assemblyman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, with no other nominations put forward.
Zahari, 59, take over from Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi, who served as the Speaker from April 2022 until the 15th Johor State Legislative Assembly was dissolved in early June.
He previously served as the chairman of the Johor State Agriculture, Agro-Based Industry and Rural Development Committee and has represented Buloh Kasap since 2018.
Zahari retained the Buloh Kasap seat in the 16th Johor state election in July, defeating Pakatan Harapan-PKR candidate Noraziah Mohd Razit with a majority of 8,600 votes.
In his speech after being officially elected to the post, Zahari expressed his appreciation to the menteri besar and all members of the state assembly for the trust placed in him.
He pledged to uphold the trust placed in him with determination and dedication.
“This appointment is a great honour and trust. I will carry out the responsibility entrusted to me to the best of my ability, in accordance with the oath I took earlier,” he said.
Zahari also expressed his appreciation to Mohd Puad and former deputy speaker Datuk Samsolbari Jamali for their contributions and service during the 15th State Legislative Assembly.
During the same session, Semarang assemblyman Samsolbari, 66, was reappointed as the Deputy Speaker after Onn Hafiz proposed his name for the post, with no other nominations received.
He has served as the Semarang assemblyman since 2004 and defended the seat in a three-cornered contest in the last Johor state election with a majority of 14,679 votes.
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