KUALA LUMPUR – Istana Negara has seen a hectic week, to say the least, with a slew of high-level meetings between the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and leaders of the country’s major political parties.
As the dust settles following the king’s final audiences granted to Sabah and Sarawak politicians yesterday, the attention is now on the next course of action with regard to the state of emergency and handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Having listened to the views of party leaders, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah is scheduled to meet the heads of other royal households at a special Conference of Rulers meeting tomorrow.
Several of the Malay rulers previously voiced their concerns about the coronavirus situation – views that will be made clear to the Agong during their meet, which is likely to have some bearing on his eventual decision.
Selangor’s Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah last week expressed shock at the unfairly low number of vaccines supplied to the state, while Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar of Johor had urged Putrajaya to consider a full virus lockdown days before the announcement was made. Sultan Muhammad V, meanwhile, reminded those without urgent matters in Kelantan not to return to the state, so as to reduce the risk of the disease spreading.
The Agong is expected to make an announcement after meeting the Malay rulers.
The emergency that he consented to in January, to allow the government to focus its efforts on combating the pandemic, is scheduled to end on August 1.
The consensus among many lawmakers is that the declaration has failed to address the public health crisis, with infections soaring to record-high numbers in recent weeks.
Despite the king’s nod on February 24 to allow Parliament to reconvene as MPs have been vaccinated, the Perikatan Nasional administration remained adamant in not calling for a sitting, citing the risk of infection.
With no solution in sight, calls have grown louder for the emergency to end and Parliament to reconvene – a sentiment that His Majesty may take into consideration in arriving at his decision.
Leading such calls is opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who, during his royal audience on June 9, requested the king not to extend the emergency, given its impact on the people and economy.
Anwar has on a number of occasions said the reconvening of Parliament is vital to collectively find a way to contain Covid-19, and ensure there are checks and balances.
On May 25, following the consent of Sultan Abdullah, who is also Pahang ruler, the state assembly issued a letter to reps notifying that it will convene from August 16 to 20, in what may be a subtle indication of His Majesty’s position.
Law Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan on June 4 said the government is considering reconvening Parliament using a hybrid format, signalling that a sitting may come soon.
Apart from the emergency, the Agong will also have to consider former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s proposal to set up the National Operations Council, although this seems unlikely.
Other leaders granted audiences with the king last week include Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan), Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PAS), Lim Guan Eng (DAP) and Mohamad Sabu (Amanah).
Yesterday, His Majesty had online audiences with Gabungan Parti Sarawak chairman Datuk Abang Johari Openg, Parti Rakyat Sarawak president Tan Sri James Masing, Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian (Sarawak United Peoples’ Party) and Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (Progressive Democratic Party), as well as Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau of Sabah’s United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation.
The meetings were held against a backdrop of growing public frustration over Putrajaya’s failure to stem the pandemic despite the emergency declared.
And, Malaysia’s Covid-19 lockdown has been extended by another two weeks to June 28. – The Vibes, June 15, 2021
