KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 – UMNO Information Chief Shahril Hamdan said the party upholds the decree of His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah that Parliament can convene during the emergency order.

He said the wisdom of the King in his decree today proves that the Head of State who enshrines his subjects is putting the parliamentary democracy above all.

“It proves that His Majesty recognises the supremacy of the Federal Constitution and that every segment of the democratic system must be observed, and that includes the government too.

“The decree that Parliament session can reconvene is in line with the intention to preserve the role of ‘legislative oversight’ or check and balance played by the Honorable Members of the Dewan Rakyat and Negara,” he said in a Facebook posting, today.

Shahril further explained that this stance has prompted UMNO leadership to call for a solution that allows the Parliamentary session to convene without neglecting what the King has said.

“For example, the role of Pengerang Member of Parliament who is also the Deputy Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat Datuk Sri Azalina Othman Said who submitted arguments based on her legal expertise, was an eye opener to many Malaysians.

“Malaysians always pray that Tuanku is endowed with longevity, good health and well-being and well as prosperity and is always blessed by Allah SWT,” he said.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong  said today that Parliament can sit during the emergency period effective on a date deemed appropriate by His Majesty on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Datuk Pengelola Bijaya Diraja Istana Negara Datuk Indera Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, in a statement from Istana Negara read out the decree citing sub-paragraph 14 (1) (b) of the Emergency Ordinance (Necessary Powers) 2021, which states that Parliament should be called, prorogued or dissolved on a date His Majesty thinks it is fit on the advice of the Prime Minister.