KUALA LUMPUR – The next parliamentary sitting has been slightly delayed for about a week to allow the newly-appointed cabinet to settle into their roles, said law minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
He said since the cabinet – comprising 31 ministers, including four senior ministers – were sworn in only two days ago, some time is needed for them to shoulder their responsibilities and identify issues that needed to be prioritised for the short and long term.
Wan Junaidi said the upcoming sitting, which will be the first meeting of the 14th Parliament’s fourth term, was initially due to take place between September 6 and September 30.
However, he said the dates were moved to September 13 until October 12, adding two days to the duration of the sessions.
He also said the new schedule was made in line with section 10(2) of the Dewan Rakyat Standing Orders and had received the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“The additional two days is to give way to government matters or motions that need to be resolved on the added days.
“Based on the standing orders, the prime minister as the head of the house has the discretion to change the dates set from time to time according to the suitability of the current situation.”
Wan Junaidi also said amendment to the dates will provide time for preparation of the parliamentary sitting, due to the composition of the new cabinet and the process of approving the draft decree for the Agong.
“In line with the concept of ‘result oriented cabinet’, each member must emphasise a high-performance work culture to help the country recover the economy for the well-being of the people, and must act swiftly and integrated in efforts to free Malaysia from the Covid-19 pandemic.” – The Vibes, September 1, 2021
