KUALA LUMPUR – Barisan Nasional is urging its MPs to push the prime minister to immediately reconvene Parliament, said coalition chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
In a statement tonight, Zahid said Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and the cabinet have to respect the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree, while taking into account the lifting of the movement control order tomorrow.
If granted an audience by the Agong, he said, he is ready to convey his views on spurring the country’s socio-economic growth, especially ones involving the poor.
The Umno president said the federal constitution must be upheld to enable Parliament to play its role in ensuring checks and balances.
He added that Parliament needs to discuss issues, such as the emergency ordinance, effectiveness of Covid-19 mitigation plans, implementation of Budget 2021, economic recovery, as well as the need for political stability and unity between races.
Zahid said BN views the statement by Law Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan yesterday that the cabinet advised against the reconvening of Parliament as a challenge against His Majesty’s views and decrees, and an insult to the constitutional monarchy.
Takiyuddin had said that calling a Parliament sitting must follow the cabinet’s decision, and the cabinet will not push for it until the state of emergency ends on August 1.
Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin in a statement on February 24 announced that the Istana Negara 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. – The Vibes, March 4, 2021
