PETALING JAYA: The Dewan Rakyat will hold the five-day special meeting starting July 26, and two separate meetings that will take place for 15 and 32 days respectively from September onwards, says Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun.

       In a statement, he said he had received notice yesterday from Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin that in the matter of public interest, the special meeting must be held in accordance with Standing Order 11(3).

       He said he was also informed that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had consented for the Prime Minister to hold the meeting although the Proclamation of Emergency dated Jan 11 is still in force.

       Azhar said Dewan Rakyat Secretary Dr Nizam Mydin Bacha Mydin would issue a notice on the special meeting to all MPs that it would sit for five days from July 26 until July 29 and on Aug 2.

       “All MPs are reminded to always abide by the (Covid-19) SOP of Parliament proceedings that has been set after taking into account the views of the National Security Council and the Health Ministry,” he added.

       In another statement, Azhar said the first meeting of the fourth session of the 14th Parliament would be held for 15 days from Sept 6 to Sept 30.

       The second meeting will be held for 32 days beginning Oct 25 until Dec 16 this year.

       Azhar said the first meeting of the fourth session of the 14th Parliament would be opened by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at 10am on Sept 6.

       The Prime Minister’s Office had announced earlier that the special meeting would take place between July 26 and Aug 2 while Dewan Negara would meet from Aug 3 to 5.

       The special meeting will centre around the National Recovery Plan and amendments to the law to allow a hybrid Parliament meeting to be held.