KUALA LUMPUR – The Pakatan Harapan presidential council said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun should resign if he fails to conduct full proceedings during the special session to begin next week.
This includes allowing more MPs to attend the session, and for debates to be held.
The statement by PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng comes after Azhar accused PH of pitting him against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
PH called on Azhar to state whether he will adhere to the Agong and Malay rulers’ decrees on reconvening Parliament to debate emergency ordinances and the National Recovery Plan, or if he is merely complying with the cabinet’s directive.
“We insist that the Agong’s decree be upheld by the government. The speaker does not need to worry as we don’t intend to bring forward a no-confidence motion against the prime minister,” said the opposition pact.
“We wish to focus on important issues concerning the Covid-19 pandemic during the special sitting, as well as the rakyat’s burdens amid the economic crisis.”
It pointed to Perikatan Nasional’s decisions regarding Parliament that do not fulfil the king’s wishes.
This special meeting has no debates on any motions. It is merely like hearing a lecture from ministers, with a limited number of MPs present.
“If the speaker complies with the decisions made by the government, he himself is not complying with the Agong’s decree.
“The speaker must decide whether he is to fulfil the decrees of the Agong and Conference of Rulers, or merely follow cabinet orders. If he is not able to perform these, he is invited to resign.” – The Vibes, July 21, 2021
