Televise king's speech, save taxpayers' money - PSM

The government should not waste taxpayers' funds on the one-day parliament sitting on May 18, according to PSM.

Deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan suggested that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's opening address be televised from Istana Negara instead.

He said it defied logic for 222 MPs, including those from East Malaysia, to travel to Kuala Lumpur just to attend the opening session.

“This is definitely not the 'new normal' but 'abnormal' because a virtual sitting can be done since we have all the time and technology to prepare for this,” he added in a statement this evening.

Arutchelvan is confident that the Agong would also understand his proposal given the circumstances.

“With all due respect to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, I think it is best that the one day physical sitting be turned into a live telecast where His Majesty can deliver his speech from the palace.

“The government can save money as well as ensure the threat of Covid 19 is minimised. The Agong who has shown such decorum and kindness will definitely understand this situation,” he added.

The opposition has demanded that the sitting be extended since the government has relaxed the partial lockdown or movement control order to contain the Covid-19 outbreak.

On Wednesday, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Ariff Md Yusof said the sitting would only have a single agenda, which is the Agong's address.

The speaker said he received a letter from Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, in his capacity as the Leader of the House, stating that the House would adjourn after the speech.

This move had shut the door on former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's no-confidence motion against his successor.

Next Monday's sitting would be the first since the “Sheraton Move” triggered a change in government with the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan administration in late February.

Muhyiddin's Perikatan Nasional (PN) government had originally planned to table four motions and two bills during the one-day sitting.

Former minister Liew Vui Keong had also submitted an emergency motion to extend the session to eight days but PN contended that prolonging the sitting could pose a Covid-19 contagion risk.

Earlier today, Malaysiakini quoted opposition lawmakers pointing out that airfare and accommodation expenses would turn the truncated session into an expensive episode.

This is particularly the case for the 57 MPs from Sarawak (31), Sabah (25) and Labuan (one).

Furthermore, due to the Covid-19, MPs must arrive in the federal capital a few days earlier to have themselves tested and certified fit to attend, which will incur more costs. - Mkini