Dewan Rakyat sitting a mockery of the constitution, says Kit Siang

 

A special meeting of Parliament does not mean standing orders, practices and conventions can be violated, says veteran MP Lim Kit Siang. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang says the parliamentary order paper for Monday’s special sitting is “most improper” and has made a mockery of the Malaysian constitution.

He said it does not provide for debate and voting after each of the ministerial statements, adding that a mere briefing followed by a question and answer session does not constitute a proper sitting of the august house.

“A special meeting of Parliament does not mean that the standing orders, practices and conventions can be violated. The Speaker has denied motions by Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham for the opportunity to annul the Emergency Proclamation and Ordinances.

“This makes a mockery of the constitution and its bedrock principles of a constitutional monarchy based on parliamentary democracy and the doctrine of separation of powers,” Lim said in a statement today.

The Iskander Puteri MP added that the Speaker should ensure that the Dewan’s standing orders, parliamentary practices and conventions are observed in the special meeting.

After a six-month break, the Dewan Rakyat will sit again from Monday with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin briefing MPs on the National Recovery Plan.

According to the agenda for the special five-day sitting, the briefing will be followed by a question-and-answer session where MPs can seek further explanations and give their views on the matter.

Four other ministers will then give their briefings on specific matters under their purview, and respond to issues raised by the MPs present in the house.

The ministers are: health minister Dr Adham Baba (government’s response to Covid-19); vaccine coordination minister Khairy Jamaluddin (the national vaccination programme); finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz (the government’s aid packages); and deputy prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob (implementation of the Emergency).

A total of 12 emergency ordinances will be brought to the sitting on Monday, including on the declaration of the emergency, the use of the National Trust Fund (KWAN), and minimum standards for workers’ accommodation. - FMT