IN a never-ending criticism against their own ally, Umno nudged Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to announce when the Parliament would reconvene, following Istana Negara’s assent to it.
“Thanks to our Yang di-Pertuan Agong, democracy is still alive and kicking in our country. I hope Muhyiddin will now advise the monarch on when the Parliament can reconvene again, as stated under Emergency Ordinance (Essential Powers) 2021,” said its supreme council member Datuk Puad Zarkashi, in a Facebook post.
On Jan 12, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah ibni Almarhum Sultan Ahmad Shah consented to Muhyiddin’s request to proclaim an Emergency to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Following the matter, Muhyiddin decided to prorogue the Parliament, assuring the public that he would call for snap polls once the pandemic gets under control.
However, several quarters, including his own allies, have criticised the move and accused the Pagoh MP of trying to subvert democracy as the latter had lost majority support from the Dewan Rakyat.
Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa alleged that those who are questioning the Emergency proclamation as being “treasonous” towards the Sultan Abdullah.
Four days ago, Istana Negara issued a statement saying that Sultan Abdullah has no issues with having Parliamentary sitting resuming as usual, following a meeting with Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun and Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim.
Puad, a former deputy minister, said that Sultan Abdullah had cleared everyone’s doubt on whether the Parliament can function during an Emergency.
“I hope Annuar now understands that it is nothing wrong with asking Parliament to reconvene during an Emergency.
“In fact, Istana Negara had clearly stated that the proclamation of Emergency is strictly on containing the COVID-19 pandemic. So, I hope our Prime Minister acts immediately.
“And let’s have a proper debate at the Parliament, instead of arguing on how Datuk Seri Rina Harun became slimmer and prettier during the lockdown,” he remarked, in a jest, – Feb 27, 2021.
