Speaker allows Pulai MP to take oath without saying 'Allah'

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul today allowed Suhaizan Kayat from Pakatan Harapan to take his oath of office as Pulai MP without using the word "Allah".

The matter was questioned by Perikatan Nasional's (PN) Arau MP Shahidan Kassim.

"Before, when taking our oaths, didn't we say 'Wallahi, Wabillahi, Wataalahi?'" he asked, referring to the Arabic terms used in an Islamic oath during the Dewan Rakyat session earlier today.

Johari responded that the term was not stated in the parliamentary Standing Orders.

"It's clearly not in the Standing Orders," he said briefly.

Shahidan then jokingly said that he would reintroduce the term if PN returned to power.

Suhaizan, who won the recent Pulai by-election after defeating two other candidates, took his oath as MP for Pulai earlier today.

The by-election was held following the death of the incumbent, Salahudin Ayub, who was also the domestic trade and cost of living minister.