KUALA LUMPUR – Several Umno leaders have joined the call to push for an immediate reconvening of Parliament, including Tg Karang MP Tan Sri Noh Omar, Pontian MP Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, party vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and party Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
Noh Omar, who is also a Special Independent Emergency Committee member, said in his understanding of the emergency ordinance, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong can reconvene Parliament without such advice from the prime minister.
“I hope the government will immediately convene a sitting of Parliament as decreed by the Agong, which is in line with Section 14 of the emergency ordinance. The ordinance states that Parliament can be called, prorogued or dissolved on a date deemed appropriate by the Agong.
“According to my interpretation as a lawyer, this ordinance overrides the federal constitution, so the Agong can call a sitting without having to seek advice from the prime minister, as stipulated in Article 40 of the federal constitution.
“I hope the government will uphold the Agong’s decree,” he said in a Facebook post today.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Maslan said the immediate reconvening of Parliament will allow lawmakers to debate the emergency ordinance and recently announced National Recovery Plan.
“Malaysia is a democractic country and, without parliamentary sittings, democracy is stifled.
“So, correct this. We have been asking for Parliament to reconvene since January. I hope the government will act immediately,” he tweeted.
Ahmad Maslan also suggested vaccinating all who are involved in parliamentary and state assembly sittings, including staffers, members of the media and officers in two weeks to create herd immunity in the compound.
“So, we can reconvene in three weeks. Hendak seribu daya, jika tak hendak maka tiadalah apa-apa.”
Khaled Nordin also weighed in, saying democracy cannot be “defeated” by the pandemic.
“I hope the prime minister and the cabinet take seriously the recommendations by the Agong and Malay rulers, and translate this into an immediate action.”
Asyraf Wajdi said Barisan Nasional lawmakers should focus on four main issues when Parliament reconvenes.
In his statement, he said this includes automatic loan moratoriums for the B40, M40 and SMEs; additional special assistance to those affected by the MCOs; i-Sinar 2.0 and i-Lestari 2.0; and, discounts on utility payments, such as internet and electricity, as well as purchase of essential food items.
“Therefore, the government must abide by the recommendations made by the Agong and the Malay rulers, which is to reconvene Parliament immediately.”
Following high-level meetings with state rulers, top civil servants and party heads, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah had yesterday said Parliament must be reconvened as soon as possible.
In a statement from the palace yesterday, the king said this will allow lawmakers to debate emergency ordinances and the National Recovery Plan.
The king also expressed hope that the Covid-19 curve will be flattened soon and the national immunisation programme will be the exit strategy to curb the pandemic.
The statement issued by Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin read that the king is highly aware of the role of Parliament as an important platform for the people’s representatives to discuss various issues, especially Covid-19.
“The members of the Dewan Rakyat can discuss the allocation of the government to help people who are facing difficulties and restore the country’s economy.”
The statement comes after a special Conference of Rulers meeting discussed the Covid-19 situation plaguing the country at Istana Negara yesterday.
The Conference of Rulers was of the opinion that the state of emergency should not be extended beyond August 1.
Istana Negara had also, in a statement yesterday, said this was among the issues on which the rulers agreed.
The statement issued by the Keeper of the Ruler’s Seal Tan Sri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad also stated that the rulers said the rising political “temperature” must be cooled.
“It is important that a government is stable, and has the confidence and support from the majority of the people.” – The Vibes, June 17, 2021
