Parliament will convene when the time comes, assures Takiyuddin

 

The government has given assurance that Parliament will be called to convene when the right time comes either before or after the Covid-19 emergency ends, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Takiyuddin Hassan said.

However, he said the government will, first and foremost, seek the advice of the relevant agencies, especially the Health Ministry and the National Security Council, on the matter.

“The government is aware of its constitutional responsibilities to ensure that the democratic process will continue to persist in the country through Parliament sitting.

“...but the priority now is to curb the spread of Covid-19 and this includes protecting the health of all members of Parliament, as well as Parliament officials and everyone involved,” he said in a statement in Kuala Lumpur today.

Yesterday, Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan said the party’s supreme council has proposed to the government that the Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies reconvene during the emergency.

Takiyuddin said during the emergency, all quarters including the opposition could give their opinions and suggestions to the government through the existing channels, such as the Independent Committee set up under the Emergency Ordinance to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah on matters relating to the enforcement of emergency.

He added that the government is functioning as usual.

Takiyuddin said this includes aspects of administrative monitoring by the relevant authorities, especially the MACC, National Audit Department and the Public Accounts Committee.

“As such, all quarters are encouraged to give their full cooperation to the government in its efforts to protect the lives and livelihood of the people, as well as their health, economic and social aspects,” he added.

- Bernama