PETALING JAYA: In a rare show of unity, politicians from both sides of the divide in Selangor have issued a joint statement pledging efforts to facilitate the reopening of the Selangor state assembly.

The joint statement dated June 22, signed by Selangor backbenchers club chair Elizabeth Wong and state Opposition leader Datuk Rizam Ismail, said their efforts are in line with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree for Parliament to reconvene as soon as possible.

“We uphold the King’s decree and the (call of) Malay Rulers for the Parliament to reconvene immediately to serve as check-and-balance to the administration of the Malaysian government.

“Referring to the Selangor Mentri Besar’s statement dated June 17, he will give full commitment so initiatives by the state government to quickly reconvene the state assembly can be implemented, in line with the decree of the King and the Malay Rulers,” said the joint statement on Tuesday (June 22).

They added that issues concerning the rakyat could be better debated as the war against Covid-19 rages on.

“The concern shown by the King and the Malay Rulers must be taken seriously by everyone so issues concerning the people, the economy and the country can be addressed immediately,” they added.

On June 16, the King called for Parliament to be reconvene after granting audiences to several political party leaders over the previous week to deliberate the Covid-19 situation and the Emergency that is due to expire on Aug 1.