by ASILA JALIL

 

UMNO has called for the government to respect the views made by the King, backed by the Conference of Rulers, and allow for Parliament to reconvene within 14 days. 

The party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the government should no longer use the terms “as soon as possible” and “immediately” on its statement pertaining to the opening of the Parliament as the King had stated his views on the matter.

“Umno is adamant in urging the government to respect the order made by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Rulers to convene the Parliament session within 14 days from the date of this statement. 

“The government’s failure to implement the order is considered a form of disrespect towards the Conference of Rulers,” he said.

On Thursday the King, with the full backing of the Conference of Rulers, asked for the Parliament to be reconvened as soon as practicable and that the current Emergency be lifted once it runs out by Aug 1. 

The Keeper of the Rulers Seal Tan Sri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad released a statement after a special meeting was held among the Rulers in Kuala Lumpur.

The Rulers stated that the only exit strategy to end the pandemic in the country is through mass vaccinations and herd immunity as well as a stable government that has a majority support.

Ahmad Zahid said Umno fully supports the statement made by the King on the opening of the Parliament as it is an important platform to address issues surrounding the pandemic. 

“As stated by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Umno is of the view that it is crucial for Parliament to be held immediately to address the various demands and hopes of the rakyat who are struggling amid the Covid-19 pandemic while ensuring accountability in the governance. 

“As a party that was founded on the objective to preserve and defend the Conference of Rulers as stipulated in Clause 3 of Umno’s Constitution, a Supreme Council meeting will be held to finalise the next course of action,” he added. 

The Conference of Rulers’ meeting came after Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah granted audience to 18 political leaders seeking their views on ways to manage the Covid-19 pandemic in the country. 

The Rulers said it is vital to honour the country’s check and balance mechanism between the executive, legislative and judiciary and that the country needs a transparent and accountable administration for the sake of the people. 

“In that spirit, the Rulers concurred with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong who decreed that the Parliament should reconvene soonest,” Syed Danial said in the statement last week.

Following the statement made by the King, Pakatan Harapan Presidential Council urged Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to call for Parliament sitting as soon as possible or step down from his post.

The council said Muhyiddin would give the impression that he has lost confidence to govern if he continues to delay the Parliament session.