PETALING JAYA: Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon has hinted that Parliament would likely convene “soon” following his audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Tuesday (June 29) morning.

       “God willing, I'll see you soon for the parliament sitting, either through a normal parliamentary sitting or through a hybrid parliament,” he told reporters after being spotted leaving Istana Negara.

       Mohd Rashid had accompanied Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun and Senate president Tan Sri Rais Yatim, who were granted an audience with Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah with regard to Parliament reopening.

       Also present at the meeting were Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and Deputy Dewan Negara president Datuk Seri Mohamad Ali Mohamad.

       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.