KUALA LUMPUR – The cabinet will not be pushing for Parliament to reconvene until the state of emergency ends on August 1, said Law Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.
In a press conference today, he said the cabinet is advising the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who has the authority to enact laws through the emergency ordinance, against allowing any Parliament sitting during the emergency.
Calling a Parliament sitting must follow the cabinet’s decision, he said, and the cabinet is advising against it.
An Istana Negara statement released by Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin on February 24 said the matter is enshrined in sub-paragraph 14(1)(b) of the Emergency Ordinance (Essential Powers) 2021, which states that Parliament shall be called, prorogated and dissolved on a date deemed suitable by the Agong and on the advice of the prime minister.
Takiyuddin also said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has guaranteed that once the emergency is over, Parliament will convene.
“MPs should now focus on combating Covid-19. That’s our justification, no other reasons.”
The government is concerned about the health and safety of lawmakers, as 77 of them are above 60 years old, he said.
Several MPs have called for Parliament to reconvene since Istana Negara issued the statement. – The Vibes, March 3, 2021
