Next Parliament sitting scheduled for May 18

The first meeting of the third session of the 14th Parliament, scheduled on March 9, has been postponed to May 18, said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof.

He said he received a written notification from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and a press statement will be issued later.

"I received the letter last night. The press statement will be released this morning.

"No meeting on March 9. The new date for the opening ceremony of the 14th Parliament will take place on 18th May, 2020," he said.

Yesterday, UMNO secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa said the new federal government required some time to sort out issues before the Dewan Rakyat could convene.

This delay will come as a blow for Pakatan Harapan for its plan to call for a no-confidence vote against Muhyiddin, claiming that he had misled the King over his supposed command of majority support amongst MPs in the Dewan Rakyat.

On Sunday, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad urged for the sitting to be convened soon, although he raised the possibility that it would be purposely delayed.

Under the Federal Constitution, the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong must convene the parliament sitting not more than six months from the last day of the previous sitting.

The last Parliament sitting was held from Oct 7 until Dec 5, 2019.