ISKANDAR PUTERI: Rengit State Assemblyman Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi, 64, has been appointed the 15th Speaker of the Johor State Assembly (DUN) which sat for its first meeting of the first session today.
His name was proposed by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi and seconded by Buloh Kasap Assemblyman Datuk Zahari Sarip, who is also the State Agriculture, Agro-based Industry and Rural Development Committee chairman.
Describing the appointment as an honour, Mohd Puad gave the assurance that he would perform his duty to the best of his ability.
He also reminded members of the State Assembly to heed the Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar's reminder in His Majesty's speech when opening the First Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 14th State Assembly in August last year not to mar the State Assembly proceedings with bad behaviour and turning it into a monkey cage.
"This august house is a place for us to discuss and make decisions for the benefit of the people and the state of Johor. Do not mar this august House with bad manners, it is not a monkey cage.
"Therefore, honorable members, let us discuss critically but constructively ," he said after taking his oath.
Mohd Puad also expressed his appreciation to former Assembly Speaker Suhaizan Kaiat and Deputy Speaker Gan Pek Cheng for their services.
In the Johor state election last month, Mohd Puad, who is Batu Pahat UMNO division chief, won the Rengit seat with a majority of 1,930 votes, defeating Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) candidate Nizam Bashir Abdul Kariem Bashir and former Senggarang assemblyman Khairuddin A Rahim from PKR.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Thu Apr 21 2022

Rengit State Assemblyman Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi, 64, has been appointed the 15th Speaker of the Johor State Assembly (DUN) which sat for its first meeting of the first session today. - BERNAMA

Lebanese search for dead in devastated villages as Israel withdraws
Hezbollah says Israel was still occupying Lebanese territory and put the onus on the Lebanese state to get Israeli forces out.

China promises Latin America 'trustworthy' ties as Trump lays out demands
Beijing looks to improve its foothold in a region historically under the US sphere of influence.

Major risks loom as Trump upends US Russia policy
Washington's approach changes dramatically with the initial meeting between US and Russian negotiators.

Pope Francis has double pneumonia, complicating his treatment, Vatican says
Doctors say a polymicrobial infection occurs when two or more micro-organisms are involved and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

Philippines' VP Duterte challenges impeachment before Supreme Court
Sara Duterte makes her first legal move to fight the case that could lead to her removal and lead to a lifetime ban from public office.

Motor racing - Hamilton steps out in red at unprecedented 10 team F1 launch
I feel so full of life, so much energy, because everything's new and I'm just focused on what is up ahead, Hamilton says.

UAE tells US' Rubio it rejects displacement of Palestinians
The UAE's stance matters as its one of four Arab nations that normalised ties with Israel during Trumps first term.

Taylor Swift wins recording artist of the year crown for fifth time
The megastar's "The Tortured Poets Department" record also topped four IFPI charts, the IFPI says.

More than $50 billion needed to rebuild Gaza, World Bank joint assessment says
Years of rebuilding work, including clearing unexploded ordinance and millions of tonnes of rubble lie ahead.

Malaysia’s AI data centre development to be impacted by recent US restrictions - Liew
Liew Chin Tong says the restrictions would not affect the development of the domestic data centre ecosystem as a whole.

Sweden's top court rejects Greta Thunberg lawsuit on climate action
A court cannot decide that the parliament or the government must take any specific action, the Supreme Court says.
![[COLUMNIST] Trump’s Gaza (pipe) dream [COLUMNIST] Trump’s Gaza (pipe) dream](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-10/51728873693_EMIR.jpg)
[COLUMNIST] Trump’s Gaza (pipe) dream
The Gaza plan is dangerous and counter-productive as it's merely another recipe for regional instability.

Sivasangari eyes new career-high in world rankings
After climbing to a career-best world number seven, national women's squash ace S. Sivasangari is determined to keep rising.

Outburst against Steven Sim: DAP will probe if there's a complaint - Loke
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke says the disciplinary committee has not received any reports related to the incident so far.

US judge will not block Elon Musk from firing federal workers, accessing data
The case raises questions about Musk's apparent unchecked authority as a top deputy to President Donald Trump.

Dozens of false killer whales stranded on remote Australian beach
Rescue crews trying to save the majority of the large dolphins that survived the ordeal, according to authorities.

Trump restricts AP access over Gulf of Mexico issue
The AP, citing editorial standards, says it would continue to use the gulf's established name.

China to fly back 200 nationals rescued from Myanmar scam centres, Thai official says
This is part of a multinational effort to crack down on illegal online operations run from the region.

Somber Tiger Woods back in action in TGL loss to New York GC
Tiger Woods makes his first start since the death of his mother when he competed in a TGL match at Palm Beach Gardens.

Brazil's ex-President Bolsonaro charged in alleged coup plot
A total of 34 people were charged, including several military officials.