KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 – Umno has made it clear that the state of Emergency must end after August 1 and the Parliament session allowed to resume.

Its president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the matter was cited to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Mustafa Al-Billah Shah at the Istana Negara, this morning.

The Member of Parliament for Bagan Datuk said even without the Proclamation of Emergency, the government still has the ability to manage issues related to Covid-19 and other related issues.

In his audience before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, he explained that the Emergency should not continue after August 1 because it will only harm the country intensely.

“UMNO also air the people’s predicaments whose livelihood was badly affected by lockdown and the pandemic,” he told the media outside the Istana Negara compound.

The former Deputy Prime Minister arrived at Gate 2 Istana Negara at about 9.55am and left at 11am.

Zahid is also of the opinion that Parliament should convene to ensure that the country’s democratic system can be defended, and that there is an element of accountability and check and balance in all aspects related to the country’s administration.

“To Umno, the Parliament is very important as an official platform to resolve and look after of the people interests such as the moratorium, sudden increase in prices of goods, i-Sinar 2.0, i-Lestari 2.0 and various assistances for all which is not limited to B40 only but the M40. Even those in T20 were also affected.

“The national economy is our concern since some big companies and foreign investors are relocating to neighboring countries. That is why its important the government comes out with better incentives to woo domestic direct investment (DDI) and also FDI,” he added.

Asked whether he also raised the idea to set up a National Movement Council (MAGERAN), Zahid said the matter was not discussed with the King.

“Strictly speaking, MAGERAN at present is something outside the norm and should the Emergency already covers all areas, then it should be addressed within the Council.

“I think the matter is one of those normative situations that is beyond what is already there… because the Emergency should answer those questions. But those asking it can be construed as having self-vested interest,” he said.