Parliament reopening: September is soon, Takiyuddin argues
Parliament will reconvene soon, assured de facto Law Minister Takiyuddin Hassan.
However, he said, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in his decree yesterday did not specify an exact date on when the House should be in session.
"His Majesty did not say which month (Parliament) should be held, just that it should be soon.
"The Prime Minister (Muhyiddin Yassin) has said that Parliament will re-open in September or October.
"Now we are near the end of June. There's July and August, and September are soon and we will have Parliament then," he said during the Bicara Harakah programme last night.
Parliament will reconvene soon, assured de facto Law Minister Takiyuddin Hassan.
However, he said, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in his decree yesterday did not specify an exact date on when the House should be in session.
"His Majesty did not say which month (Parliament) should be held, just that it should be soon.
"The prime minister (Muhyiddin Yassin) has said that Parliament will re-open in September or October.
"Now we are near the end of June. There's July, then August, and September is soon, we will have Parliament then," he said during the Bicara Harakah programme last night.
In a statement yesterday, the palace said that the Agong wants Parliament to reconvene soon after hearing from the heads of political parties, the Special Independent Committee on the Emergency 2021 and briefings from government experts.
According to the National Recovery Plan announced by Muhyiddin on Wednesday, Parliament will reconvene during the third phase of Malaysia's recovery from the lockdown.
The plan states that Malaysia will enter Phase Three when it has less than 2,000 daily cases, ICU capacity at moderate levels, and 40 percent of the population totally vaccinated. It is estimated that this target will be met in September.
The Dewan Rakyat's Standing Orders states that the prime minister will decide at least 28 days in advance when the Lower House should meet.
Parliament has been suspended since an emergency came into force on Jan 11.
The emergency is due to end on Aug 1, subject to advice by the independent committee on whether it can be lifted earlier.
Focus on Covid-19
Takiyuddin said when Parliament does reconvene, MPs must focus on Covid-19 related issues.
"His Majesty spoke of the MPs' roles and the importance of Parliament in debating issues related to Covid-19. His Majesty did not mention other issues," he said.
He added that the king had also advised the government to focus on its pandemic exit plan.
During the talk last night, Takiyuddin discussed what a hybrid Parliament, which is being studied, may look like.
Takiyuddin said the method required Parliament's Standing Order to be amended to allow a hybrid of physical and virtual sittings when the House reconvenes.
He also defended the proposal of a hybrid sitting, arguing that a full Dewan Rakyat session could result in approximately 1,000 people appearing at the Parliament complex, including the aides of ministers and MPs, as well as government officers and parliamentary staff.
With the implementation of a hybrid sitting, he said, the House could meet with a minimum quorum of 26 MPs physically present.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.