KUALA LUMPUR – The opposition bloc is calling for Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun to resign over “his failure to protect the rights of parliamentarians” by allowing the police blockade near Parliament yesterday.
In a statement, the Pakatan Harapan presidential council said it deeply regrets Azhar’s actions allowing the violation of a Dewan Rakyat directive for the inspector-general of police to ensure unhindered access to the Parliament building.
The council said it has also asked lawmakers to lodge police reports to identify those involved in issuing the order to bar 107 opposition MPs from entering the august House.
“At the same time, the decision of the Yang di-Pertua to allow parliamentarians who are Public Accounts Committee members to enter Parliament for a meeting yesterday is proof that the Yang di-Pertua must be held responsible for the instruction that prevented other parliamentarians from entering Parliament,” it said, referring to Azhar.
The statement was issued by PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.
The council said the incident saw the violation of a directive issued by the Dewan Rakyat to the nation’s top cop, based on the home minister’s motion dated July 13 last year at the beginning of the second sitting of the third term of the 14th Parliament.
It said the tabled motion instructed the IGP to ensure all roads leading to Parliament remain open and accessible.
Police must also ensure no disruptions along the roads leading to the building, as well as in its compound and surrounding areas, said the council, adding that the Dewan Rakyat secretary must present the order to the IGP.
“It is important to note that Parliament is still under the third term as there has been no gazetted proclamation by His Royal Highness the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to prorogue the said term based on Clause (2) of Article 55 of the federal constitution.
“The act of intimidating and obstructing lawful MPs from exercising their duties violates Section 124 of the Penal Code, which is punishable by seven years in prison or a fine.”
It said the opposition wants to attend Parliament so as to abide by the Agong’s decree, based on Article 150(3) of the constitution, to debate and decide on the repeal of emergency ordinances.
“Yet once again, the Perikatan Nasional government has shown that it has disobeyed His Majesty’s orders, disregarded Parliament and violated the constitution.” – The Vibes, August 3, 2021
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