KUALA LUMPUR – The five-day special parliamentary sitting later this month is a form of deception by the Perikatan Nasional government, said opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said there were no signs of open debates being allowed and five days is too short a time to scrutinise several emergency ordinances that were bulldozed previously by the government.
“I wish to remind the prime minister and government that at a time when you are unstable, do not take advantage of the Dewan Rakyat speaker who also needs to be reminded that we will not take the Covid-19 matter lightly,” Anwar said in a video posted on his official Facebook page.
“The question of allocation for the people and abuse of power should not be taken lightly.”
Anwar, who is also Port Dickson MP, said the government should not use parliamentary rules at its whim without emphasising on the principles of parliamentary democracy.
He said Parliament must be utilised to hold debates, uphold the federal constitution, voice the aspirations of the people, and execute the roles and powers of government in line with the nation’s laws.
“Parliamentary sessions are to ensure the government is administered according to rules of good governance so that there is no abuse of power and check and balances would be present.”
Yesterday, the Prime Minister’s Office announced the special five-day Dewan Rakyat sitting starting late July, while the Dewan Negara will sit early next month.
It added that the government has agreed to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on a Dewan Rakyat sitting from July 26 to 29, and on August 2.
The Dewan Negara, meanwhile, will sit for three days from August 3 to 5. – The Vibes, July 6, 2021
