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PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional said the statement by de facto Law Minister Takiyuddin Hassan that the government would not advise the king to allow Parliament to reconvene during the emergency period was akin to challenging Yang’s recent decree di-Pertuan Agong.
“It is also an insult to the royal institution,” Coalition Chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today in a statement.
Zahid also called on all Barisan Nasional MPs to plead with the prime minister and his cabinet to adhere to the King’s decree for Parliament to reconvene immediately, now that movement restrictions have been relaxed.
“The supremacy of the Constitution must be maintained to ensure that Parliament can play a checking and balancing role.”
He continued to plead with the King to use his discretionary powers under the Emergency Ordinance to call a session of Parliament immediately, to address various issues.
This included reviewing the effectiveness of the measures implemented to curb the spread of Covid-19 and reactivate the economy during the motion control order.
Zahid also wants Parliament to analyze the initiatives implemented under the national budget.
He went on to say that he was willing to have an audience with the King to share his views on the socio-economic development of the country.
Meanwhile, the leader of the opposition, Anwar Ibrahim, also said that Takiyuddin’s comments were disappointing as they went against the decree and the views of the King.
Like Zahid, the PKR president also pleaded with the King to request a session of Parliament immediately, to address various issues, including the Covid-19 vaccination program.
“In order to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and allow Parliament (to play a) check and balance (role), we plead with the King to use his discretionary powers (to convene a session of Parliament),” Anwar said.
Yesterday, Takiyuddin said that Istana Negara’s statement last week was only to explain that the Cabinet will be the one to advise Yang di-Pertuan Agong on when Parliament can sit down.
“So right now the Cabinet is advising the King that there will be no session of Parliament,” he said, adding that the government was concerned about the health and safety of its elected representatives, since 77 deputies were over 60 years old.
Last week, the King said that Parliament can meet again during the emergency period that is scheduled to end in August, at a date that he deems appropriate on the advice of the prime minister.
