Don't go against Agong's decree, let Parliament function normally - Harapan

 

The Pakatan Harapan presidential council has urged the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government as well as the Dewan Rakyat speaker to not go against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree and to allow Parliament to function normally.

“The Agong, on June 16, had already issued his opinion that a Parliament sitting should be held immediately so that MPs can debate the Emergency Ordinances, the National Recovery Plan (NRP), and spending related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“His Royal Highness issued the same opinion on both February 24 and June 29,” said the presidential council in a statement today.

Unfortunately, they said, speaker Azhar Azizan Harun issued a statement on July 15 saying the five-day Dewan Rakyat session on July 26 to Aug 2 would be a “special sitting”.

The Parliament schedule has also shown that the five-day sitting will be fully occupied by ministerial briefings.

“That is why Harapan is urging the Dewan Rakyat speaker and the PN government to not go against the Agong’s decree and open up space for debates as well as to allow Parliament to function normally so that MPs can fulfil their responsibilities to defend the rakyat,” the presidential council said.

They added that de facto opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim also sent a motion on July 12 to Azhar to ensure adequate time for debates in the upcoming Parliament sitting.

The special Parliament sitting has been widely criticised, including by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad who called it a “facade” and “nothing more than a lie” to show that a Parliament sitting has been held.

Azhar also previously said the first session of the full Dewan Rakyat sitting will commence on Sept 6. - Mkini