KUALA LUMPUR – Office-bearers of the Parliament are ready to convene sittings in the nearest time as reiterated by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, today.
In a statement today, Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Rashid Hasnon said the matter had been conveyed to the chairman of the Parliament council for consideration.
“The wisdom of His Majesty in defending the federal constitution and prioritising the welfare of the people, contributing to the cause of the frontliners and acknowledging the hard work put by the healthcare workers nationwide has affected me,” he said after Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah granted an audience him along with four others at the Istana Negara, today.
The four included Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun, Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Rais Yatim, Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and Dewan Negara deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Ali Mohamad.
Parliament, Rashid said, will take the necessary steps in ensuring His Majesty’s stand in ensuring the balance between democratic practices and parliamentary function.
“Additionally, I also would like to urge the vaccination process for Parliament staff and officers to be accelerated to enable Parliament to be opened under set SOPs (standard operating procedures).”
Rashid, who is also Batu Pahat MP, issued this response after the Agong reiterated his stance for the government to convene Parliament as soon as possible.
In a statement by Istana Negara today, the Agong said the sitting needs to reconvene according to the guidelines and Covid-19 standard operating procedures set by the government and Parliament.
“This is so that the proclamation of emergency and Emergency Ordinances can be debated in Parliament, as stated in Article 150(3) of the federal constitution.
“Besides that, His Majesty has expressed his views that all the select committees of the 14th Parliament should continue to resume meetings for the implementation to act as a check and balance mechanism,” said Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Indera Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin.
Fadil said the Agong has expressed his appreciation and gratitude for their commitment and readiness to convene a parliamentary sitting as soon as possible.
He also clarified that the views and calls stated are those of His Majesty and the Malay rulers acting as a constitutional monarchy based on the principle of the supremacy of the federal constitution and the rule of law.
Previously, the Agong summoned Azhar, Rais, Rashid, Azalina Othman and Ali to discuss the convening of Parliament before the emergency period expires on August 1. – The Vibes, June 29, 2021
