The Move Forward Party (MFP) needs to make it official that its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, intends to waive the party's right to take the opposition leader's post, according to House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha.
His remark came after Mr Pita made it known verbally that neither he nor the MFP wanted the opposition leader's position.
The MFP would rather keep its MP for Phitsanulok, Padipat Suntiphada, as deputy House speaker.
Mr Wan said the right to become opposition leader must go to the leader of the largest opposition party. But if they are unable or willing to perform the role, the right is passed on to the next largest party.
A party cannot concurrently occupy the positions of deputy House speaker and opposition leader.
The MFP has chosen to keep the deputy House speaker role, apparently to push its legislative agenda, and so it must officially notify him of its decision to foresake the opportunity to lead the opposition, Mr Wan said.
This is so that the right to take on the opposition leadership may be handed to the second-biggest opposition party, which is the Democrat Party.
"The charter and parliamentary rules dictate that an opposition leader must be appointed," he said, explaining that the leader of the opposition takes part in selecting members of some independent agencies.
However, the Democrats are struggling to convene a meeting to elect a leader due to deep-seated internal divisions.
If the party fails to produce a leader soon, the right to lead the opposition will be offered to smaller parties, including those with one MP, such as the Fair Party.
But Mr Wan insisted no deadline ha been set on when the opposition leader must take office.
A source noted that the MFP might eventually end up empty-handed as Mr Padipat may risk being stripped of his deputy House speaker post over his alleged online promotion of craft beer, an offence carrying severe punishment as a political post holder, in Phitsanulok. Mr Padipat denies the allegation.
Also yesterday, Mr Wan said he stands ready to set a date for a parliament meeting where the new cabinet will unveil its policies.
This will happen once he receives word about the cabinet seats being finalised and the timing of the meeting discussed among the government, opposition and Senate whips.
