Reconvene Parliament before Emergency period ends — former speaker

KUALA LUMPUR (June 17): Former Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof said it is "rightful" and "fitting" for the Cabinet to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to reconvene Parliament as soon as possible before the Emergency period ends.

Mohamad Ariff, who served as speaker from July 2018 to July 2020, said this in a statement yesterday after the King and fellow Malay Rulers expressed their view that it is important for Parliament to be reconvened soon.

"His Royal Highness voiced a clear opinion that Parliament is an important platform to discuss the Emergency Ordinance and the National Recovery Plan, as well as to review the spendings to overcome the pandemic and the plight of the rakyat.

"The opinion is fitting and on point, and reflects the function of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong under the Constitution of Malaysia, which includes his right to obtain information, to be consulted and to provide advise to the prime minister and the Cabinet on national matters," said Mohamad Ariff.

He added that the recommendation is in line with Article 150(3) of the Federal Constitution, stating that the Emergency Declaration and the ordinances under it must be tabled in Parliament.

"This must mean before the the current Emergency period ends on Aug 1, 2021."

"In my view, it is rightful and fitting for the prime minister and the Cabinet to thus advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to call for Parliament to reconvene immediately before the end of the Emergency period," Mohamad Ariff said.

Parliament sittings have been suspended since the first quarter of the year, following the invocation of the Emergency Ordinance, which Putrajaya said would provide the government the ability to mobilise all necessary resources to combat the outbreak.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he expected Parliament to be reconvened by August or September, when daily Covid-19 cases are projected to drop to below 2,000 and social sectors are reopened in stages.

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