Don’t twist 14-day ultimatum issue, Puad tells Shahidan
PETALING JAYA: Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi has hit back at party colleague Shahidan Kassim and told him not to “twist the 14-day issue”. Shahidan, who is also a Supreme Council member, yesterday told party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to “know his facts and give an accurate view” that…
PETALING JAYA: Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi has hit back at party colleague Shahidan Kassim and told him not to “twist the 14-day issue”.
Shahidan, who is also a Supreme Council member, yesterday told party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to “know his facts and give an accurate view” that 28 days’ notice is necessary to reconvene the sitting of Parliament, and not 14 days.
In a Facebook post this morning, Puad said Umno acted on behalf of the rakyat and its two-week ultimatum to the government to reconvene Parliament was in line with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree for Parliament to sit as soon as possible.
“Shahidan is making a serious accusation that the 14-day period was a threat (to the government). Isn’t his press statement condemning the party?” he asked.
He said the PN government has failed to prove that the state of emergency and suspension of Parliament since January was effective in curbing the Covid-19 crisis.
“Everyone knows the speaker has to give 28 days’ notice to call for a sitting of Parliament. That is under normal circumstances under Standing Order 11(2),” he said.
But, he said, the speaker may call for a sitting as a “case of urgency” using Standing Order 9(2)(a) and 11(3) for a special session of the house.
“So what is the problem with carrying out the Agong’s advice to reconvene Parliament ‘as soon as possible’,” he asked.
“What is your (Shahidan’s) comment on Article 9(2)(a) and Article 11(3)?”
Two days ago, Zahid issued the 14-day deadline to the government, with the countdown beginning immediately.
Last week, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said he wanted Parliament to reconvene as soon as possible. The Malay rulers also said there is no need to extend the state of emergency beyond Aug 1 and that the state assemblies should similarly reconvene as soon as possible.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had previously said Parliament can reconvene in September or October if the daily Covid-19 cases drop to below 2,000.
The Dewan Rakyat last met in December. — Free Malaysia Today