KUALA LUMPUR – The need to uphold parliamentary sovereignty “outweighs” the “legislative quarantine”, said Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, following yesterday’s decree by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
She also questioned if Malaysia has a constitutional crisis at hand as the Agong and the Conference of Rulers have “unanimously agreed that parliamentary sovereignty guarantees good governance”.
In a simple graphic, she pitted the executive branch against the decrees issued by the Agong and the Malay rulers.
She portrayed that the need to uphold parliamentary sovereignty is important to allow for the prioritisation of the lives and livelihood of the people, and less bureaucracy in the Covid-19 vaccination programme while eliminating any trust deficits.
The Royal decree is indisputable. The YDPA and Council of Rulers unanimously agreed that Parliamentary Sovereignty guarantees good governance.
— Azalina Othman Said (@AzalinaOthmanS) June 16, 2021
Do we have a constitutional crisis at hand?#AmpunTuankuDaulatTuanku#BukaParlimen #YDPA pic.twitter.com/TEQJgtfl1d
She added that this will bring about political stability, national unity and economic recovery.
She also made references to Articles 40 and 150 of the federal constitution, and Section 14 of the emergency ordinance.
Article 40 refers to the Agong’s functions under the constitution, where His Majesty is to act in accordance with advice, on advice, or after considering advice, and the Agong shall accept and act in accordance with such advice.
Article 150 empowers the Agong to make a proclamation of emergency while Section 14 of the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021 relates to the suspension of all legislative bodies while the emergency is in force.
Following high-level meetings with state rulers, top civil servants and party heads, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah had yesterday said the reconvening of Parliament must be done as soon as possible.
In a statement from the palace yesterday, the king said this will allow lawmakers to debate emergency ordinances and the National Recovery Plan.
The king also expressed hope that the Covid-19 curve will be flattened soon and the national immunisation programme will be the exit strategy to curb the pandemic.
The statement issued by Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin read that the king is highly aware of the role of Parliament as an important platform for the people’s representatives to discuss various issues, especially Covid-19.
“The members of the Dewan Rakyat can discuss the allocation of the government to help people who are facing difficulties and restore the country’s economy.”
The statement comes after a special Conference of Rulers meeting discussed the Covid-19 situation plaguing the country at Istana Negara yesterday.
The Conference of Rulers was of the opinion that the state of emergency should not be extended beyond August 1.
Istana Negara had also, in a statement yesterday, said this was among the issues on which the rulers agreed.
The statement issued by the Keeper of the Ruler’s Seal Tan Sri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad also stated that the rulers said the rising political “temperature” must be cooled.
“It is important that a government is stable, and has the confidence and support from the majority of the people.”
Azalina had recently said an online meeting chaired by the Dewan Rakyat speaker discussed issues linked to preparations for a sitting.
This comes amid excitement at Istana Negara, where the Agong was meeting political party presidents starting June 9, with Parliament reconvening and ending the emergency declared over Covid-19 believed to be the main topics of discussion.
Last month, Azalina had also voiced her frustrations over unanswered questions posed to the attorney-general and law minister on the reconvening of Parliament.
“It would seem that the suspension of Parliament has not only crippled democracy, but it has also crippled the capacity of the government officials of basic courtesy to respond to valid concerns raised by MPs beyond the walls of Dewan Rakyat.
“I write this out of utter frustration at the lack of response from my distinguished colleagues in the government. My questions to the attorney-general on the emasculation of Parliament and the minister of law have been left unanswered,” she had said.
“At the expense of sounding like a broken record, I see no other way for Malaysia to move forward in this state of emergency but for Parliament to reconvene.
“P/s, I had a chat with (Health Director-General) Tan Sri (Dr Noor) Hisham (Abdullah) recently; he has no objections to Parliament reconvening virtually.” – The Vibes, June 17, 2021
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