KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has described the decision by Dewan Rakyat speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun to reject his proposal for parliamentary motions as “ludicrous”.
“This speaker is acting at the behest of the executive and not respecting our right to debate on a substantive motion.”
“This is a ludicrous decision designed to shield the government from answering questions on the management of the pandemic and the national recovery plan,” Anwar told The Vibes.
Earlier today, it was reported that Azhar had rejected Anwar’s proposals to allow MPs to debate matters pertaining to the emergency, its ordinances and Putrajaya’s National Recovery Plan.
Among the reasons cited by Azhar was that Anwar’s proposal came in too early.
The notice for the special parliamentary meeting was issued July 15, while Anwar’s parliamentary motion was proposed July 12.
Additionally, Azhar said because Anwar had multiple topics in a single motion, it violated Standing Order 33(1) and 46(3).
“I am also of the opinion that the motion violates Article 150(3) of the federal constitution,” Azhar added in the letter.
Given that there are no debates for the upcoming special parliamentary meeting on July 26, with only certain cabinet ministers providing briefings, questions have arisen as to whether this legislative meeting complies with recent decrees of the king.
On June 16, Istana Negara issued a statement urging Parliament to be convene soon to allow Dewan Rakyat members to debate emergency ordinances and the National Recovery Plan.
This message was then similarly echoed by the Conference of Rules, which called for the legislative House to reconvene, adding procedures from other countries could be followed to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
However, on June 29, following a meeting with Azhar and Dewan Negara Speaker Tan Sri Rais Yatim, a similar message urging Parliament to reconvene was made in a press statement by Istana Negara, adding that procedures set by the government and legislative House must be followed.
The statement added that this is to allow the emergency declaration and ordinances to be “tabled” as provided for under Article 150(3) of the federal constitution.
The Dewan Rakyat will be having its special parliamentary sitting from July 26 to 29, and August 2, while the Dewan Negara will sit for three days from August 3 to 5.
On July 26, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba; Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin; Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob are expected to brief the MPs.
Other parliamentarians will be allowed to pose questions to the ministers and put forth their own opinions. – The Vibes, July 21, 2021
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