Johor ruler’s call highlights need for Parliament sitting, says Khaled

 

Khaled Nordin said a government that runs without checks and balances will not have the best accountability.

PETALING JAYA: The Sultan of Johor’s call for the state’s elected representatives to meet to address the Covid-19 pandemic highlights the urgent need for Parliament to reconvene, an Umno leader said.

In a statement, Umno vice-president Khaled Nordin, who is also the former Johor menteri besar, said he agreed and supported the ruler’s call and hoped it would grab the attention of the state government and MPs of Johor immediately.

“A government that runs without checks and balances in forums such as the state assembly and Parliament will not have the best accountability. Also, the voices of most citizens will not be raised accordingly,” he said.

Khaled said it had been three months since the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had said that Parliament could sit, but Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin still did not seem interested in reconvening Parliament in the near future.

“This is the time for us to put aside any political interest and differences. Let us take every opportunity to find the best way out of this (health) crisis and the economic crisis,” he said.

It was reported today that although the state assembly was closed because of the emergency, the Johor ruler wanted all MPs and assemblymen in the state to meet and discuss how they could curb the spread of Covid-19.

Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar said the state government, MPs and assemblymen all had a role to play in curbing the spread of the virus and helping those affected.

“As such, I urge for a discussion and meeting to be held involving all MPs and assemblymen in Johor, to be chaired by the menteri besar.

“Through this, all elected representatives can give their ideas and views on curbing the spread of the virus and resolving the problems faced by the people.” - FMT