KUALA LUMPUR: Today's Dewan Rakyat special sitting has been postponed until 2.30pm following a "surprise" statement by Istana Negara.
In the statement, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong expressed disappointment over the recent statement by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan who said Cabinet had decided to revoke the emergency ordinances.
Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim while reading out the statement in the House said the King's statement proved that the Perikatan Nasional government has gone against the principles of the Federal Constitution and the Royal Institution.
In the statement, the King also said Takiyuddin's remark was misleading, adding that the power to revoke the emergency ordinances lies with the Agong.
Therefore, Anwar (PH-Port Dickson) said, it is only fair for the House to ask Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his Cabinet to resign immediately.
"We are not only in the middle of a constitutional crisis but the Rulers have also been ridiculed aside from the Parliament and all Malaysians being lied to.
"The Cabinet that is headed by Muhyiddin has gone against the constitution, it has insulted the Malay Rulers especially the Agong and this includes (Takiyuddin) who had misled this House by not telling the truth and confusing the people.
"We have no choice but to demand the prime minister to resign now," he said in the Dewan Rakyat today after which scores of MPs from the opposition started chanting "PM must resign now" and "Speaker must resign too if you can't make the decision".
Former education minister Dr Maszlee Malik (Independent-Simpang Renggam) urged deputy speaker Datuk Rashid Hasnon, who was presiding over the sitting, to make an immediate decision following the palace statement.
He said Rashid's reluctance in making a quick decision after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who is also the head of parliament, had made his opinion clear, will set a bad precedent for future leaders.
"If you let this prolong, it will be seen as a dark period in the country's history. This will be set as a precedent for future leaders as there is a way for them to act like dictators.
"Mr Speaker, do not rebel (derhaka) against the King's decree," Maszlee said.
DAP's Gobind Singh Deo (PH-Puchong) then pointed out to Rashid that he had submitted motions to the Speaker's office for the House to determine if Takiyuddin had indeed misled the Dewan Rakyat.
"Why aren't the motions debated until today? And now, the palace has spoken. This is a serious issue and you should prioritise it because this issue involves the power (of Agong) which now has been even more evident through the letter by the King.
"Why is the Speaker protecting the prime minister and his Cabinet? I want the decision to bring up my motions to the House now. We must discuss this now.
"If the Speaker cannot bring the motion forth then the Speaker should resign too," Gobind said.
In response, Rashid said that since the statement read out by Anwar was a "media statement", he would need to refer to his office and the Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun before he could make a ruling.
However, Anwar cautioned Rashid to be careful as the statement made by the Palace was posted on Istana Negara's official Facebook account which carries the official words of the country's monarch.
"Mr Speaker, don't simply say this is 'just a media statement'. Don't make excuses. This was issued by the Palace's office, not a normal media statement.
"Don't play around with the King's decree that has a lot to do with the Parliament," Anwar said.
Gobind then interjected and asked Rashid to postpone the proceeding for 15 minutes so he could make necessary checks before making a decision on the matter, to which Rashid agreed.
However, after the 15 minutes break ended, Rashid said he would postpone today's sitting until 2.30pm.