Agong says it again: Reconvene Parliament as soon as possible

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong today reiterated that Parliament should be reconvened "as soon as possible", following an audience with the speakers and deputy speakers of the two houses of Parliament.

The Agong had summoned Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun, his deputies Azalina Othman Said and Mohd Rashid Hasnon, Dewan Negara president Rais Yatim and his deputy Mohamad Ali Mohamad to Istana Negara this morning.

In a statement today, Comptroller of the Royal Household Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said the Agong wishes to see the emergency proclamation and emergency ordinances debated, in accordance with Article 150(3) of the Federal Constitution.

This article stipulated that both the proclamation and ordinances can be revoked if Parliament so chooses.

The Agong also opined that all Parliamentary Select Committees must continue meeting to provide check and balance.

"This is to ensure an administration that is transparent, with integrity and responsibility, especially on public policy issues, fiscal issues and public spending," he said.

Meanwhile, Rashid told reporters this morning before entering Istana Negara that the law stipulated that it is the prime minister who advises the Agong on reconvening of Parliament.

"God willing, we will see you (the press) soon, regardless of whether Parliament is reconvened as normal or through a hybrid method," he said.

In a very rare move earlier this month, the Agong had summoned all the heads of major political parties over a five day period, followed by a special Conference of Rulers.

On June 16, the Agong decreed that Parliament should reconvene as soon as possible to debate on the emergency ordinances and the National Recovery Plan. The Conference of Rulers decreed that emergency should not be extended beyond Aug 1.

Legal experts have warned that debating the emergency ordinance only after the emergency expires would be an academic exercise.

The emergency ordinance is still in effect for six months after the expiry date, unless it is defeated through Parliament. However, there has been precedences where the emergency ordinance is kept alive by Parliament for decades.

So far, Putrajaya has "taken note" of the Agong's position but has not committed to a date for convening Parliament, although it has suggested that it can happen in Phase 3 of the National Recovery Plan.

Separately, Azhar and Rais said they would want to see Parliament reconvene by the first week of September at the latest.

There is intense speculation that once Parliament is reconvened, confidence in Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's leadership would be put to the test. - Mkini