PETALING JAYA: DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang has expressed concern that there is a scenario for Parliament to be suspended indefinitely based on the conditions set out by Putrajaya under the national recovery plan.
He also questioned the Perikatan Nasional-led government’s sincerity in wanting Parliament to reconvene based on the three conditions it had set under its exit strategy from Covid-19.
Last week, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced that Parliament could only open in phase three of the national recovery plan, subject to there being fewer than 2,000 daily cases, the health system reaching a manageable level, and at least 40% of the population being fully vaccinated.
“What if one of these three conditions is not met, is Parliament to be suspended indefinitely?” Lim asked in a statement.
The Iskandar Putri MP said the prime minister’s promise to involve the opposition in a study on opening Parliament was also meaningless if the next session would only be held in September or October.
He said there was nothing for both government and opposition MPs to evaluate on the reopening of Parliament, as they were required to meet once every six months.
Lim added that Muhyiddin must give a commitment to convene the next session before Aug 1 to show that the executive was “not sabotaging the hopes of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Rulers” in fighting the pandemic.
He also pointed out that Dewan Negara president Rais Yatim had said the emergency ordinance 2021 gave the King authority to recall Parliament.
He said it was “unfortunate” that the Dewan Negara president was more vocal and articulate on the rights and privileges of Parliament than the Dewan Rakyat Speaker himself.
“I call on the Speaker to represent the MPs to the executive, and not represent the executive in Parliament,” Lim said, referring to Speaker Azhar Harun. - FMT
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