PETALING JAYA: The roles of all MPs remain as Parliament has merely been suspended and not dissolved during the state of mergency, says Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun.
"We take note that Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah proclaimed a state of Emergency and we take note of the speech thereafter of the Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
"We understand that all Parliament and state assembly sessions have been suspended during the state of Emergency.
"This means that the legislative process of the Dewan Rakyat cannot be carried out throughout the state of Emergency.
"However, the status and the duties of all Members of Parliament as state representatives remain as the suspension is not a dissolution of Parliament, ” he said in a statement Tuesday (Jan 12).
"All activities of whatever caucus, all party parliamentary groups and special committees set up can be continued except for activities which are not allowed by any of the Ordinances legislated by the King according to his powers vested to him by the Federal Constitution.
"The Parliament also realises that an independent committee comprising government and Opposition MPs to advise the King on the state of emergency.
"Through this independent committee and special select committees, Parliament will continue to play its role in the check-and-balance process as the highest legislative body of the country.
"We await the Emergency Ordinance which will be legislated by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong," said Azhar.
Sultan Abdullah had proclaimed a state of emergency nationwide from Tuesday (Jan 12) until Aug 1 as a proactive measure to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
The King agreed to the decision after a meeting with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday (Jan 11).
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