MPs slam 'flimsy' grounds for Parliament's suspension

 

Opposition MPs have criticised what they described as a "flimsy" reason used by the government to suspend the special Parliament sitting.

This was after Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin (above) yesterday postponed the sitting to an unspecified later date, citing the discovery of Covid-19 cases at the August House. 

"I condemn the act of adjourning the parliamentary sitting on a flimsy ground," said Upko's Tuaran MP Wilfred Madius Tangau.

The suspension of the special sitting also coincided with a brewing constitutional crisis after the government defied the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's call for the emergency ordinances to be debated in Parliament. 

Instead, the government unilaterally revoked the emergency ordinances without the ruler's consent.

Putrajaya is seen to be reluctant for a vote in the Dewan Rakyat due to its uncertain majority.

Wilfred said even with Parliament's suspension, Muhyiddin's position is still not secured if more Umno MPs renounce him.

He noted that Umno's Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Tengku Hamzah has already switched to the opposition bench in Parliament.

Tuaran MP Wilfred Madius Tangau

However, Wilfred said whatever government that may succeed Muhyiddin's Perikatan Nasional ruling coalition, they must work out a confidence and supply agreement with the opposition to ensure political stability amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also called for the formation of more parliamentary special select committees to allow MPs to play a greater role in providing oversight on the government as well as an intergovernmental consultative committee to improve coordination between states and the federal government.

Furthermore, Wilfred said civil societies should also be involved in the formulation of public policies.

'Not based on science'

Meanwhile, Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii said the suspension of Parliament was based on politics instead of science.

"This is absurd. Eleven persons were tested positive out of 1,183 samples taken. That's 0.9 percent of the total. This is a decision not based on science.

"The World Health Organisation recommends a (no more than) five percent positivity rate to gauge that the pandemic is under control and when we compare that to the 0.9 percent in Parliament, there is no excuse to claim that there is an outbreak," he said.

Parliament had been suspended since Jan 11 following a proclamation of emergency.

The government agreed to convene a special Parliament sitting on July 26 following pressure from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Prior to the latest suspension, tomorrow was supposed to be the last day of the special sitting.

Hybrid sitting deferred

The Malaysian Bar also expressed its deep disappointment over the indefinite suspension of Parliament.

"While the Malaysian Bar is cognisant of the perils of Covid-19, a question that has to be asked is why hybrid parliamentary sittings were not agreed to and voted on in the first place.

"In light of the Covid-19 infections identified, the failure of Parliament to introduce a motion on hybrid measures, as well as to adopt them, means that Parliament sittings would continue to be postponed and as a result, this is a hindrance towards democracy," said Malaysian Bar president AG Kalidas.

He said the deferment on approving a hybrid setting for the Parliament setting was a missed opportunity.

Kalidas added that Parliament should continue to sit with strict standard operating procedures with the view of approving the necessary amendments to allow for a hybrid (physical and virtual) sitting.

"Good governance must prevail during these unprecedented times in order to avert a constitutional crisis, where the only ones who will suffer are the people of Malaysia," he said. - Mkini