LETTER | Reason for not reconvening Parliament perplexing, mind-boggling

LETTER | I agree with columnist Syahredzan Johan that the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021 does not specifically oust or amend Article 40 of the Federal Constitution, which provides that the Agong shall act in accordance with the advice of the cabinet for certain clearly defined circumstances. As such, the Agong must act on advice under the Ordinance. 

In short, His Majesty must act on advice to summon Parliament. But the cabinet will not so advise the Agong as it has decided not to for reasons, which I also agree with Syahredzan, that are perplexing.

Yesterday was the start of the recovery movement control order (MCO) for Malacca, Pahang, Perlis, Sabah (except Nabawan District), Terengganu, and Federal Territory (FT) of Putrajaya and Labuan, and conditional MCO for Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Perak, Sarawak, Selangor and FT of Kuala Lumpur.

The regulations can be seen here. 

Both regulations have similar provisions relating to control and conditions of movement, and prohibited activity. Both regulations allow movements for the purposes of, among others, work and performance of any official duty subject to “necessary proof” and “authorisation letter” respectively.

Prohibited activities are similar as well in both regulations.

Significantly, both regulations do not single out and restrict people who may fall in the high-risk group for Covid-19, those aged 61 and above, according to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Takiyuddin Hassan. 

To use Syahredzan's words, “there is no age prohibition” in both regulations.

Parliamentarians in the so-called high-risk group were not held back from meeting Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun at the Parliament building on March 4. To his credit, Azhar too did not refuse to meet them. 

If a picture tells a thousand words, then that picture of the meeting is certainly one.

Bersatu’s supreme council members, a number of whom are cabinet members, were also not held back from attending a meeting in Putrajaya on the same day. 

So, it’s perplexing to give age as a reason to hold back from summoning Parliament. Or to use Fa Abdul’s words, "it’s truly mind-boggling." 

It’s perplexing and mind-boggling, if you like.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.