PETALING JAYA: Parliament rules state that a 28-day notice is required before it reconvenes, not 14 days, says Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.
The Arau MP and Perikatan Nasional backbenchers club chairman chided Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for his purported oversight of Parliamentary rules when Umno issued a 14-day “ultimatum” for Parliament to reconvene.
Shahidan said the majority of Barisan Nasional MPs agreed that Parliament should be reconvened, but it should follow the current notice period of 28 days.
“A majority of Barisan MPs held firm to the party’s decision during the Umno general assembly to support the government until the general elections and the Parliament is dissolved.
“We agreed for the reconvening of Parliament to be expedited, but it has to follow the notice. The notice is 28 days, not 14 days,” he said.
Shahidan said anyone can criticise the government, but they must provide the right facts.
On Monday (June 21), Ahmad Zahid said the government must reconvene Parliament within two weeks, and that Umno supported the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s call for Parliament to reconvene as soon as possible.
On June 16, the King called for Parliament to be reconvened after granting audiences to several party leaders to deliberate the Covid-19 situation and the Emergency that is due to expire by Aug 1.
