Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim today said Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin should reconvene Parliament since the latter was critical of the military coup in Myanmar.
"The only other country that suspended Parliament (in Asean) is Myanmar. So if the prime minister is critical of Myanmar, then Myanmar should be critical of our prime minister.
"That there is no reason to suspend Parliament," said Anwar (photo, above).
Myanmar's military staged a coup on Feb 1, prompting waves of protest that were mostly peaceful. Thousands of civilians have been arbitrarily arrested and close to 200 killed by state actors.
Two days ago, Muhyiddin had urged stakeholders to reach a "peaceful settlement". However, much of Myanmar's legitimately elected lawmakers remain behind bars.
Anwar was speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting of some opposition MPs in Parliament in a symbolic move to call for the resumption of Parliamentary sittings.
Anwar said the MPs believed that there are no reasons for sittings to be suspended given that spectator sports and cinemas, among others, could resume.
"We are voicing our objections against the decision to suspend Parliament although the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has opined that Parliament can be convened during an emergency.
"It all depends on the prime minister," said Anwar.
Checks with several meeting participants suggested that MPs from Pejuang, Warisan and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PSB) did not participate in the meeting.
Muda's sole MP - Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muar), who is currently on a month-long study leave in Singapore - were among several who participated in the meeting through video conferencing.
On Feb 24, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had decreed that Parliament can convene during an emergency after conferring with Dewan Negara speaker Rais Yatim and Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun.
However, the ruler said he could only call for the convening of Parliament on the advice of the prime minister as stipulated in 14(1)(b) of the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021.
Anwar said that the MPs had resolved to encourage the public to receive Covid-19 vaccines.
He said the meeting also resolved to urge Putrajaya to consider expert views on the economy in view of high unemployment numbers, especially among youths.
He said that the Pakatan Harapan presidential council would meet soon to decide on further action. - Mkini
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