KUALA LUMPUR – Umno veteran Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has launched an online petition calling for Parliament to convene before the end of the emergency.
Tengku Razaleigh, affectionately known as Ku Li, said the petition was launched to see whether the public agreed with the notion that elected representatives must push for parliamentary sessions to be held in line with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s recent decree on the matter.
“We want Parliament to convene before the end of the emergency on August 1. We should not wait until October, that would be late,” the Gua Musang MP said during a live-streamed announcement on his official Facebook page this evening.
“This is no longer about wanting power to control Covid-19, but to control something else that has nothing to do with the people’s situation in Malaysia.”
Ku Li, who is also the chairman of Umno’s advisory board, also urged the public to sign the petition – launched on Change.org – to show support for Parliament to be held in July.
During the announcement, he expressed his disappointment with the present government over its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He also slammed certain politicians who refused to take heed of the Agong’s advice to hold parliamentary sittings soon.
“His Majesty, through several official statements, had urged Parliament to be held as soon as possible, but many have disputed this. There were even those among the people’s representatives holding government posts who disputed the order and decree of the Agong.
“His Majesty has the spirit of the people, but those representing the people do not. How is this?
“I feel that these people should retire and not continue their services for disputing something that needs to be upheld and carried out as instructed by the Agong.”
Ku Li added that the Agong had also gained the full support of the Conference of Rulers, who were concerned about the people’s well-being.
“The Agong and rulers have a right to intervene in the matters raised during their special meeting recently and no one can forbid or stall his actions on this matter.
“Neither the prime minister nor the cabinet have the power in the constitution, or any law, to fix a date, or delay or interfere with the requests of the rulers. The operative words (in the decree) are ‘segera bersidang’ (convene immediately).”
Ku Li added that the government must act swiftly to revive the economy and address the rising tide of social problems, especially the issue of mental health, which has led to many taking their own lives recently. – The Vibes, June 28, 2021
