Parliament Sitting Today Went By Without Any MP Taking The Mic. Here's What You Missed
Prior to this, the opposition wanted to push for a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as they suspected that he did not command a simple majority.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 18 May 2020, 02:24 PM
The Parliament sitting today, 18 May, went without a single Member of Parliament taking to their microphones to discuss issues pertinent to the governance of the country. Instead, only the King made a speech.
The single-day sitting today was opened by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah, with his speech being the only agenda for the third term of the 14th Parliamentary session.
In his royal address, the Agong said that Malaysia is currently at war with the COVID-19 pandemic, but the nation has faced the challenge with resilience and unity.
Sultan Abdullah lauded the frontliners for working tirelessly and putting their own lives at risk to look after the safety of the public. He then gave the frontliners a standing ovation and asked fellow MPs to join him, reported New Straits Times.
The Agong told MPs not to create another political crisis
"I would like to advise not to drag this country into another political uncertainty at a time when the people are facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic," Malaysiakini quoted him as saying.
"It is also for this reason that my government has decided to set the Parliament sitting for one day with my speech as the only agenda."
Recounting the political manoeuvre that took place in late February, Sultan Abdullah said he tried to advise former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad from resigning during the crisis, but to no avail.Following that, he said he went through the process to identify who the MPs supported and found that Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin commanded the majority.
"I am concerned by the existence of political polarisation, any provocation or values that go against our norms and laws must be contained before things worsen," said the King.
"I welcome the National Unity Action Plan to ensure the unity agenda can be inculcated."
Sultan Abdullah said fellow MPs should focus on revitalising the economy and urged employers not to lay off workers indiscriminately
He highlighted that the government has allocated RM260 billion in the economic stimulus package to support Malaysians and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) during the Movement Control Order (MCO).
"My government will continue planning, introducing, and implementing various programmes and initiatives to boost economic activities to improve the income and well-being of the people," said the Agong.
"In this regard, the Shared Prosperity Vision will be the catalyst for the nation's development direction, he said.
"The upcoming 12th Malaysia Plan that will be tabled here marks the first phase of the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030."
Sultan Abdullah expressed his confidence that the new policy will help enhance the economy, which can be felt by the rakyat nationwide.
Before concluding his royal address, the King had also touched on issues regarding the increase of illegal immigrants in the country; the country's maritime borders; crimes involving drugs, smuggling, and human trafficking; and reminded MPs not to stir up religious and racial sensitivities.
He told the august house to be aware of the people's grievances and reminded MPs to stick to the principles of justice.
Sultan Abdullah leaving the Dewan Rakyat, followed closely by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin behind him.
Image via Parlimen Malaysia/YouTubeToday's Parliament sitting was held over two months after the political manoeuvre dubbed as 'Langkah Sheraton'
The sitting came 79 days after the swearing-in of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the eighth Prime Minister and Perikatan Nasional (PN) taking over the federal power.
According to Bernama, it is the first Parliament sitting of the year since the last session on 5 December 2019.
It was convened in accordance with Article 55(1) of the Federal Constitution, which stipulated that the Dewan Rakyat must be held no later than six months since its last meeting.
Prior to the political crisis, the sitting was initially scheduled to convene from 9 March to 16 April, but it was postponed after the country was placed under the MCO.
Today's sitting witnessed everyone in the Dewan Rakyat wearing face masks.
The trio that once used to sit on the same government bench were split up in the Dewan Rakyat. PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was seen sitting on the first seat in the opposition bench, Dr Mahathir in the centre of the House, while Muhyiddin took the seat in the ruling government side.
It was previously reported that the opposition wanted to push for a motion of no confidence against Muhyiddin as they suspected that the premier did not command a simple majority.
However, Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof had rejected two such motions.
