PETALING JAYA: The King has once again called for Parliament to convene as soon as possible.

       “This would allow the Emergency Proclamation and Emergency ordinances that were issued to be tabled in Parliament as contained in Article 150(3) of the Federal Constitution,” said Istana Negara Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin in a statement posted on the Istana Negara Facebook page on Tuesday (June 29).

       Ahmad Fadil conveyed that the King also opined the Parliament’s committees must carry on their work to serve as check and balance to ensure transparent and accountable governance that is of integrity.

       The statement by Istana Negara comes after Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah held a one-hour audience at 11am with Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun and Senate President Tan Sri Rais Yatim at Istana Negara earlier on Tuesday (June 29).

       Also present were Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speakers Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon and Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said as well as Senate deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Ali Mohamad.

       Ahmad Fadil said the audience with the King was to follow up on development in wake of the Royal Malay Rulers special meeting on June 16 with regard to the Emergency.

       On Friday (June 25), Azhar and Rais said in a joint statement that a hybrid Parliament meeting can be held in late August or the first week of September at the latest.

       The heads of the lower and upper House said that a special Parliament meeting in August will be needed to debate and approve measures on the holding of a hybrid Parliament meeting.

       The Attorney General had said that the King can only call for Parliament to reconvene on the advice of the Cabinet or a minister acting under the general authority of the Cabinet.

       Tan Sri Idrus Harun said even then, the Prime Minister has to set a date at least 28 days before a new term begins at the Dewan Rakyat.

       On June 16, the King called for Parliament to reconvene as soon as possible after meeting with several political leaders over the course of a few days from June 9.

       Parliament has been suspended since January after an Emergency was declared to fight Covid-19.