Opposition MPs were flabbergasted on receiving an email from the secretary of Dewan Rakyat, giving notice that the long awaited first parliament sitting of the year, which was supposed to be convened on 18 May 2020, will be held, but for only one (1) day. The reason proferred was that the present Movement Control Order was in operation.
This is wholly unacceptable and it goes against the long held concept of parliamentary democracy. The Perikatan Nasional government has no legitimate basis to limit this session of parliament to only one day as despite the covid pandemic lockdowns, we have seen lately, that many democracies, such as the UK and the US has convened normal parliamentary sessions. Better still, South Korea even held a general election yesterday, under severe pandemic restrictions.
Hence, the reason cited in the letter from our Parliament is ludicrous and holds no water.
Shamelessly, the PN government is blatantly displaying open contempt on the role and function of parliament. It is stifling the legitimate duties of parliamentarians to check the government in spending the rakyat’s money.
In doing so, the Government (Executive) is attempting to stymie and undermine the legitimate role of
Parliament and the concept of separation of powers, in preventing robust debates on the stimulus package.
Also, in doing so, the government is flagrantly attempting to bulldoze through the huge economic stimulus package of RM 250 billion (equivalent to Malaysia’s one year’s national budget), in a “back door” fashion, without seeking proper approval from the parliament.
It is also obvious that PM Tan Sri Muhyiddin is in grave fear of facing Pakatan Harapan MPs in a proper session of parliament, as this may present an opportunity for the opposition, to move a motion of no confidence against him as PM.