KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 – Umno will continue urging the government to reconvene Parliament sitting as ordered by His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

Information Chief Shahril Hamdan said irrespective of the date, there is always matter of discussion that need immediate attention, especially pertaining to the rakyat.

“Article 150 (7) of the Federal Constitution clearly states: Upon the expiration of the period of six months commencing on the date of emergency proclamation, any ordinance promulgated pursuant to the proclamation and, to the extent that the law cannot be validly enacted otherwise for this matter, any law made while the proclamation is in force, shall cease except matters which have been omitted to or to be done before the expiration of that period.

“Legal experts are able to discuss it and in detail. Will the government leadership especially the Prime Minister once again use the interpretation to stay in power? Will the Emergency Ordinance be extended beyond August 1st?

“Or will the government leadership, at the latest after the emergency ends, immediately return to the system of parliamentary democracy, including in the matter of confidence among members of the Dewan Rakyat and on key matters such as the 2022 Budget?” he asked.

Shahril added that statements from Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan and Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar did not even take up the matter seriously.

“We will continue to urge Parliament to reconvene. If not now, it should be in August when the emergency ends. Various parties have stressed the need for Parliament to convene immediately in line with His Majesty’s order.

“Read also His Majesty’s statement dated February 24 that the Parliament can sit during an emergency.”