BANGKOK — Veteran Muslim politician from Thailand’s far south Wan Muhamad Noor Matha became the country’s new Speaker of the House of Representatives after he was nominated for the position in parliament on Tuesday without any contender.

Thailand’s House of Representatives Tuesday elected by accumulation Wan Muhammad, a Muslim and the leader of Prachachart Party, as the speaker. Wan Muhamad, 79, was the only candidate by Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat.

The nomination took place in a parliamentary session where newly elected members of parliament (MPs) gathered to select the new House Speaker, First Deputy Speaker and Second Deputy Speaker.

He ran for the post after weeks of debate on the position, Thai News Agency reported, saying that the voting to select the speaker was on the top of the parliament’s agenda held Monday.

Speaking before the parliament, Wan Muhamad pledged to achieve his missions transparently, neutrally and honestly, adding that he would respect the constitution, laws and parliament systems.

“I will conduct duties fairly... with transparency in considering draft laws and petitions to improve the lives of all Thais,” Wan Muhamad told the house.

Wan Muhamad was elected parliament speaker in 1996-2000, obtaining portfolios in the previous governments, including ministries of interior, agriculture and transport.

Selecting speaker is set to call for a joint session between the House of Representatives and Senate to elect a new prime minister that requires getting more than half of votes of both legislatures totaling 750 seats or at least 376.

Move Forward, which achieved an unexpected victory in the general elections held on May 14 with 151 seats, formed a coalition of eight parties, which have 312 seats out of 500. The coalition nominates Limjaroenrat as prime minister.

Wan Muhamad also promised to support the work of every parliamentary committee to solve the people’s problems as well as promote and develop democracy in the country.

The House Speaker position was a source of disagreement between Move Forward and Pheu Thai over the past months as both parties set their sights on the top post of the legislative branch.

On Monday, they held a joint press conference to announce they had agreed to nominate the Prachachat Party leader as the House Speaker.

The House Speaker controls the joint sitting of parliament, which includes MPs and senators. The House Speaker is the head of the legislative branch, which is one of the three principal bodies of power in Thailand.

Under the Thai democratic system with the king as the Head of State, the king exercises sovereign power, which belongs to the Thai people, through the legislative branch, the executive branch and the judiciary branch.

Wan Muhamad’s responsibilities include maintaining order in parliamentary sittings, arranging parliamentary agendas, and setting up parliamentary committees to work for the parliament. — Agencies