Kuala Lampur, Jan. 3 -- Three years ago in 2022, I wrote of Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul confirming that he had received a formal notice from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) vice-president Datuk Ronald Kiandee.

The notice requested the Speaker to notify the Election Commission of four vacancies of parliamentary seats in Sabah. The four seats were Papar, Batu Sapi, Ranau, and Sipitang.

Johari said he would fulfil his role as Speaker but indicated that he would need some time "to do a lot of reading and digging" so as to "work out the best position on how to respond to the notice".

Article 49A(3) of the Federal Constitution says that whenever the Speaker receives a written notice from any MP on the occurrence of a cas...