Debates a must when Parliament reconvenes, says PH presidential council

PETALING JAYA: The five-day meeting of Parliament from July 26 will be too short for proper debates on the proclamation of emergency, the emergency ordinances and the Covid-19 national recovery plan, said the Pakatan Harapan (PH) presidential council.

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng expressed disappointment that the Perikatan Nasional-led (PN) government “only seeks to provide an explanation on the national recovery plan without room for proper debates”.

Similarly, they noted that the emergency proclamation and ordinances will only be tabled and will not be debated or voted upon.

“This is not in line with the views of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” they said in a joint statement today.

Previously, the King had said that Parliament must reconvene as soon as possible.

Following numerous calls for the houses of Parliament to sit, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said he will be advising the King to call for a five-day Dewan Rakyat meeting – from July 26 to 29 and on Aug 2.

The Dewan Negara will also meet for three days from Aug 3.

“Based on Article 150(3) of the Federal Constitution, emergency proclamations and ordinances proclaimed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall be laid before both houses of Parliament,” it said.

However, the PH presidential council said if PN continues to go against the King’s decree to reconvene Parliament and restore its functions, the upcoming meeting will merely be a political sham.

“Parliament is an avenue to hear the rakyat’s problems and complaints and to restore their hope, on top of seeking solutions to the national crisis,” they said, adding that the principles of accountability and transparency must be upheld, together with Parliament’s function of providing checks and balances.

“Parliament is not just a stage to hear the ministers’ speeches without allowing room for debate.

“Therefore, the government must invite the opposition to draft and organise the agenda for this Parliament meeting together, which must find solutions for Malaysians to escape from the Covid-19 and economic crisis.” — Free Malaysia Today