KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s appeal to lawmakers from both sides of the divide to write in to the Agong to rescind the emergency proclamation has received the backing of a majority of MPs.
The oppposition leader said the letters were delivered to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah yesterday.
He said the joint effort by members of the opposition as well as several from the government showed their willingness to cooperate and form a more stable administration that puts the interest of the people above anything else.
“It’s true, the number of MPs who have written letters to the Agong has surpassed majority,” he said in an online press conference today, but did not reveal the numbers.
“However, we are not objecting to the proclamation; merely seeking his wisdom and mercy to reconsider and review the reasons given by the prime minister for the emergency, which we felt are unreasonable, and make any necessary changes.
“Secondly, we are asking the Agong to decree for Parliament to reconvene immediately. His Majesty has the power under the constitution to make such an order,” he added.
Anwar had last Thursday urged all MPs to send appeals to the king to rescind the emergency proclamation and call for a parliamentary sitting to discuss pressing issues like the Covid-19 pandemic.
The PKR president also sought to clarify his previous statement that he has instructed his legal team to prepare an application to challenge Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and the government over the baseless declaration of emergency.
He explained today that the legal application, which will be filed by Friday latest, is to challenge the suspension of Parliament and allow sittings to be held immediately.
“Why is Parliament prohibited? Even kindergartens can operate. It just shows the incapability of the government to listen to and answer questions. The biggest danger though is that they now have absolute power,” he said.
On the formation of a special independent committee that will advise the Agong on the emergency, Anwar said Pakatan Harapan (PH) will be submitting its choice of three MPs today.
“Since the committee is proposed by the Agong, we decided to cooperate,” he said, explaining that the delay in the name submission is to allow PH to gather more details on the terms of reference and composition of the committee. – The Vibes, January 20, 2021
