Shortened Parliament sitting? PN not confident of their numbers, says Anwar

The government's order to shorten the Dewan Rakyat session this May 18 shows that the Perikatan Nasional government led by Muhyiddin Yassin is not confident that they have a majority, says opposition chief Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar, who is PKR president, said Covid-19 pandemic should not be made an excuse for a shortened session as parliamentary staff had already set up seating arrangements for MPs as advised by the health authority.

"If the seating has already been set, then, of course, the assembly can happen. That is why we believe the sitting should be held.

"But, I believe that (the order to shorten) was made most probably because the government is not confident that they command the majority of support in Parliament," he said during a special talk show via Facebook Live this morning.

Anwar was commenting on the Dewan Rakyat's latest decision announced yesterday, stating that the one-day Parliament next Monday would only comprise of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's opening address.

Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof issued a statement saying that he had received a letter from Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in his capacity as leader of the House saying that due to the continuing Covid-19 outbreak in the country, the Dewan Rakyat would only convene for the Agong's opening speech at 10am and the sitting would end immediately after that.

Explaining further his take on the matter, Anwar said PN could be in uncertainty over the number of parliamentarians that are with them, citing that today's politics had been more of a "frog leaping" show than a matter of principles.

"Because it has yet to be confirmed (the numbers). Now, of course, they have the support (from some MPs). But parliamentarians today, some of them would rather see what positions they can get.

"There are those who hope for ministership and if they can't get it, they would not cross over. Some hope for positions in government-linked companies for which they are willing to jump over to the other faction," he said.

Anwar continued by reminding the people that in the next general election, they should choose candidates who hold on to principles and values instead of those who can be "bought".

Asked by a viewer what can be expected at the May 18 sitting, the veteran politician said there would not be much as the assembly's agenda has been limited to the king's speech.

He also stressed that the royal institution should be respected by all across the political divide and it would be unbecoming to interrupt the session.

On another matter, the Pakatan Harapan chairperson expressed his concern over recent incidents of the media being barred from covering the Malacca and Perak state legislative assembly sittings.

Anwar again reiterated that Covid-19 should not be made an excuse to deny the media access for coverage.

"We are not an 'iron fist' country. So they should be given the space to cover the news. If social distancing is an issue, then make some room for them to do their job.

"This issue of freedom of the press is a matter of principle. We are a democratic country where the judiciary is independent, the anti-graft agency is independent, and the media must be independent too."

To a request for his comments on the behaviour of a state legislative assemblyperson who was recorded cursing during the Malacca state assembly sitting on Monday, Anwar said such an act was unbecoming.

While argument and debates are welcomed, he stressed that insults and curses should not be employed by any people's representative.

Anwar said the onus should be on the top leadership of any political party to reprimand its member who behaved in such a way. - Mkini