PETALING JAYA: MPs from ruling parties welcome the proposal of a special sitting of Dewan Rakyat while Opposition MPs want more than just a special one-day meet.

       Senior Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said he looked forward to be in Dewan Rakyat when the Parliament reconvened.

       “I am ready for the day,” said the Petra Jaya MP when contacted.

       He was commenting on the statement jointly issued by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun and Senate President Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim yesterday.

       Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said he welcomed the idea of a special sitting as the procedures were not as complex as during usual meetings.

       “I agree for a special sitting with the SOP in place. A special sitting is simpler and does not need a 28-day notice unlike the opening of a new session,” said the Ketereh MP.

       Azhar and Rais have proposed a special Dewan Rakyat sitting to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to be held before Aug 1 with the current Standing Orders.

       In a joint statement, they said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, in an audience with them on June 29, had given his views that the Parliament should convene before Aug 1.

       Opposition MPs questioned the need for such a special sitting.

       PKR’s Selayang MP William Leong said the Speakers should be issuing the actual notice of a Dewan Rakyat session.

       “What is so difficult about holding a Parliament meeting? All MPs have already been vaccinated,” he said.

       Fellow MP Maria Chin Abdullah said the Dewan Rakyat should reconvene before the Emergency ends on Aug 1.

       “We do not need a special sitting. The Parliament should reconvene now,” said the Petaling Jaya MP.

       “There is no point to have a sitting like the one held on May 18 last year.

       “We need to have Select Committees on issues related to economy, health and education. This is crucial.”

       Seputeh MP Teresa Kok of DAP said the statement by both Speakers showed that such a sitting could be held before Aug 1.

       “I am very happy to see the Yang di-Pertuan Agong ordering both Speakers to reconvene the Parliament as soon as possible,” Kok said

       “We are grateful to the King for listening to our pleas and the wishes of the rakyat,” she added.