PETALING JAYA: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah reiterated his view that a Parliament sitting should be held as soon as possible to enable the Proclamation of Emergency and Emergency Ordinances to be tabled as provided for in Article 150(3) of the Federal Constitution.

       Comptroller of the Royal Household of Istana Negara Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said His Majesty expressed the view following a audience with Senate president Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim and Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun yesterday and the Special Meeting of the Malay Rulers on June 16.

       Also in attendance yesterday at Istana Negara were Senate deputy president Senator Datuk Seri Mohamad Ali Mohamad and Deputy Speakers of the Dewan Rakyat Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon.

       Ahmad Fadli said His Majesty was of the view that a Parliament sitting should be held as soon as possible in compliance with the Covid-19 guidelines and standard operating procedures set by the government and Parliament.

       “His Majesty also opined that the Parliament’s committees must carry on their work as a check and balance to ensure transparent and accountable governance that is of integrity.“It should be made clear that the views expressed were the stance of His Majesty and the Malay Rulers

       in their capacity as constitutional monarchs based on the principles of supremacy of the constitution and rule of law, ” he said in a statement.Ahmad Fadil said yesterday’s audience was to follow up on developments in the wake of the Malay Rulers special meeting on June 16 with regard to the Emergency.Mohd Rashid, when met by reporters outside Istana Negara, hinted that Parliament might convene soon.“God willing, I’ll see you soon

       for the parliament sitting, either through a normal parliamentary sitting or through a hybrid parliament, ” he said without elaborating.

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

       They said proper preparations including legislative, administrative, technical and procurement of supplies had to be done first to ensure a smooth hybrid sitting.

       If all the legislative aspects could be resolved by the end of July and approved by the relevant committees, they said, a special Parliament meeting would be convened in early August prior to the sitting.