KUALA LUMPUR – The issue of Parliament not reconvening during the emergency until August 1 should not be taken lightly, as the legislature limits the power of the executive.
Senator Yusmadi Yusoff of PKR told The Vibes that the refusal to hold a Parliament sitting undermines the voice of the people.
“If Parliament is not allowed to reconvene, there will be no democratic accountability. It sends a clear message by the present government that it (the government) is authoritarian.”
The lawyer-turned-politician, who is also aide to PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said this state of affairs renders the current cabinet irrelevant.
“Same goes to the portfolio of Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan – it becomes irrelevant.
“He should resign,” said Yusmadi.
He added that Takiyuddin was being disrespectful in his statement saying that the cabinet had advised the Yang di-Pertuan Agong that Parliament will not reconvene until the emergency order expires on August 1.
On February 24, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong said Parliament is allowed to convene during the emergency.
However, on March 3, Takiyuddin argued that the decision to reconvene Parliament should be done on the advice of the cabinet.
“The burning question is, why did the Agong mention the magic words – ‘Parliament sessions can be held’ – if indeed there was no intention whatsoever by the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government to conduct any meetings at all?
“The king wanted democracy restored,” said Yusmadi.
The decision also lies with Dewan Rakyat speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun, who has so far not allowed for a no-confidence motion to be tabled against the prime minister. – The Vibes, March 5, 2021
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