Opposition advised to be careful on requesting parliamentary session, not push for a change of government

Irwan Muhammad Zain
January 24, 2021 15:45 MYT

The constitution allows members of the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara to convene parliamentary sessions, and the presentation can be geared towards important matters as the Standing Order is still determined by the government. BERNAMApic

KUALA LUMPUR: Parliamentary sessions can be held during the emergency period as requested by the opposition but it should be implemented not with the intention to change the government.

According to constitutional expert, Datuk Dr Wan Ahmad Fauzi Wan Hussain, the opposition coalition should be careful with their request to hold a parliamentary session during the emergency period.

He explained the parliament can convene at this time but if there is an effort to change the government, the prime minister can advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to dissolve parliament.

"If actions continue to threaten domestic stability, the prime minister will ask His Majesty to dissolve parliament.

"If parliament is dissolved, the election need not have to be held within 60 days because we already have an ordinance and in an emergency period, the election will not necessarily be called within 60 days.

"If parliament is dissolved during the emergency period, His Majesty can set up a caretaker government for now.

"The period for the caretaker government is not limited to either 60 days or 2 years because we are in an emergency and the need to hold elections has been opened in a recent ordinance," he told Astro AWANI.

Dr Wan Ahmad Fauzi also explained that during the emergency period, there is no such thing as parliament being suspended as touted by some parties.

In fact, he is of the opinion that the government should convene a parliamentary session by using more appropriate methods at this time.

"Parliament can be held during an emergency because during the period, a parliamentary session is not necessarily in a formal situation.

"The constitution allows members of the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara to convene parliamentary sessions, and the presentation can be geared towards important matters as the Standing Order is still determined by the government.

"So, the government needs to balance the demand from the opposition," he added.

Dr Wan Ahmad Fauzi advised all politicians to prioritise the people's problems for now rather than urging for elections to be held or change the government.

#Dewan Rakyat #Dewan Negara #Yang di-Pertuan Agong #Wan Ahmad Fauzi Wan Hussain #Astro Awani #election #parliament