KUALA LUMPUR – Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has decreed that the state legislative assembly can convene on August 12 – slightly less than two weeks after the state of emergency is set to end.
A post on his Facebook page today stated that His Royal Highness has granted his assent to officiate the opening of the assembly’s fourth meeting in Kota Iskandar.
“I want all assemblyman to unite their hearts and meet for the sake of the people and Johor, especially on plans to provide aid to the people who have been affected because of the Covid-19 pandemic and prepare Johor’s state economic plan as best as they can.
“I feel sad seeing the suffering of my people, their fear and their agitation. I am disappointed because till today, the Covid-19 virus pandemic has not been resolved,” said Sultan Ibrahim to his Royal Press Office.
The ruler issued the decree after granting an audience to Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad, State Secretary Datuk Azmi Rohani and state legal adviser Amir Nasruddin this morning.
He had also received advice from state Health Director Datuk Dr Aman Rabu on the latest pandemic developments in Johor.
Sultan Ibrahim is the latest of Malaysia’s nine royal households to grant his assent for a state assembly.
The first was Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah himself, who granted his assent for the Pahang assembly to convene roughly two weeks after the end of the emergency.
Similarly, Perak Speaker Datuk Mohammad Zahir Abdul Khalid said Menteri Besar Datuk Saarani Mohamad will seek an audience with Muizzuddin Shah this week to brief him on the proposed date for the state assembly sitting.
The actions of the royal household is more in line with public demands that Parliament be reconvened – a demand that has been deflected and avoided by the ruling Perikatan Nasional administration.
Observers and experts have speculated that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin fears calling for the Lower House’s sitting, seeing that he is the most unpopular prime minister to date, coupled with the strong possibility that he will lose power should the Dewan Rakyat meet. – The Vibes, June 23, 2021
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