King: Reconvene Parliament soon

KUALA LUMPUR: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Mustafa Billah Shah has expressed his opinion that Parliament must reconvene as soon as possible.

His Majesty said this was to enable the Emergency and the Covid-19 National Recovery Plan to be debated by lawmakers.

The King said members of the Dewan Rakyat could discuss government spending to assist the people who were burdened by the pandemic and to revive the economy.

Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said the King also expressed the view that the government must simplify bureaucracy and expedite the vaccination process for people to meet 80% herd immunity.

“His Majesty hopes Covid-19 infection figures will be flattened quickly and views vaccination as the only exit strategy to control the spread of Covid-19 in the country.

“The King also expressed the opinion that there should be a stable and strong government administration that is able to function effectively in handling the Covid-19 pandemic and reviving the economy,” said Ahmad Fadil in a statement issued after a Special Meeting of the Malay Rulers yesterday.

“The King also took the opportunity to express His Majesty’s highest gratitude for the continuous support of the Malay Rulers that reflected the concern of the country and the livelihood of the people,” he said.

Ahmad Fadil added that the King also expressed his gratitude to frontliners and the rakyat for their sacrifices in fighting the pandemic and urged the people to continue to pray the country would be protected by Allah and an end to the pandemic.

Sultan Abdullah chaired the meeting at Istana Negara, which was attended by Perak’s Sultan Nazrin Shah, Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, Selangor’s Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Terengganu’s Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, Kedah’s Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Almarhum Sultan Badlishah and Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Almarhum Tuanku Munawir.

Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail had attended the meeting on behalf of his father Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail.

Regent of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah was also in attendance.

Kelantan’s Sultan Muhammad V, however, was absent.

This was the second time a meeting between the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Malay Rulers in less

than two years since the country was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. The first was held on Oct 25 last year.

The special meeting was to scrutinise all views expressed by 18 leaders of political parties who were granted audiences by Sultan Abdullah over the past seven days.

His Majesty had granted both face-to-face and virtual audiences to the leaders to hear their views on various issues.

Earlier, several top government officials were seen entering the palace to brief the Rulers on matters pertaining to public health, security, politics and economy.

They were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, Chief of Defence Forces Tan Sri Affendi Buang, Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani and Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.