KUALA LUMPUR: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has made another call for the Parliament to meet as soon as possible.
In a statement today, Comptroller of the Royal Household of Istana Negara, Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said the King was of the opinion that this could be done by following the Covid-19 guidelines and standard operating procedure (SOP) set by the government.
"This is to enable the issued Emergency Proclamation and Emergency Ordinances to be tabled in the Parliament as stipulated under Article 150 (3) of the Federal Constitution.
"Aside from that, His Majesty expresses the opinion that all of the 14th Parliament's Select Committees must continue their meeting sessions for the implementation of check and balance to ensure transparency, integrity and accountability in the governance especially in addressing issues on public and societal policies as well as on financial affairs and national spending," he said.
Earlier today at 11am, the Speakers of both Dewan Rakyat Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun and Dewan Negara Tan Sri Rais Yatim had met with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to discuss matters relating to the Parliament during a one-hour meeting.
Also present were Dewan Negara deputy speaker Senator Datuk Seri Mohamad Ali Mohamad as well as both of the Dewan Rakyat deputy speakers Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and Datuk Rashid Hasnon.
"During the audience, His Majesty expressed appreciation and thanks to the Parliament's commitment and readiness to convene a Parliament session as soon as possible.
"It must also be highlighted here that the opinions and calls expressed are the stance of His Majesty and the Malay Rulers who act as the constitutional monarchy based on the principle of the supremacy of the Federal Constitution and the rule of law," he said.
After the previous call by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the Parliament to reconvene as soon as possible, Rais and Azhar Azizan said that a hybrid sitting is expected to be held either at the end of August or in the first week of September.
They said the newly-formed Parliament Special Committee, tasked to look into a hybrid sitting for Members of Parliament, had considered all aspects of the matter and was ready to start the hybrid session soon.
The special committee expects that the legal aspect can be resolved by end of July if approved by the House Committee and the Standing Orders Committee.
Various parties had previously criticised and called for Parliament to reconvene.
The move they said, was to ensure the integrity of democracy, which is the core of the sovereignty of the administrative system in the country.
Since the state of emergency was declared by the King on Jan 11, the Parliament session was also suspended until Aug 1.
However, on Feb 24, the King was of the view that Parliament should convene during the state of the emergency period on a date that was deemed suitable, based on the advice of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
On June 15, Muhyiddin while unveiling details on the National Recovery Plan (NRP) said Parliament sessions could convene between September and October under strict compliance of the SOP after the country enters Phase 3 of the NRP.
However, the King after chairing the Special Discussion of the Malay Rulers, said Parliament should sit as soon as possible.