Johor sultan gives consent to reconvene state assembly on Aug 12
24 June, 2021
Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar said on Wednesday (Jun 23) that he has given consent for the state assembly to reconvene on Aug 12.
A statement issued by the Royal Press Office said that the sultan will open the state assembly sitting in Kota Iskandar, the administrative centre of the state government.
“I want all state assemblymen to unite and convene in the interest of the persons and Johor. Especially in regards to to an action plan to aid the lives of the persons that have been damaged by the COVID-19 pandemic and sort (out) a recovery plan for the Johor economy.
“I feel very sad looking at the lives of the persons who are in difficulty, fear and anxiety right now. I am also disappointed because to date, the spread of the COVID-19 virus has still not been resolved,” said the statement.
The statement also said that the sultan had made a decision after granting an audience to Johor chief minister Hasni Mohammad, state secretary Azmi Rohani and state prosecution director Amir Nasruddin on Wednesday morning.
Johor is one of the states that are moving towards reconvening their respective legislatures soon. In contrast, the federal government has earlier indicated that parliament could reconvene in September or October this year, through the third phase of a national recovery plan.
The sultan's announcement was welcomed by state opposition politicians.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders in the southern state expressed gratitude to the sultan for giving consent to reconvene the state assembly.
“The Johor PH is preparing to contribute ideas and energy in the interest of the persons especially for the action intend to help those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said the statement.
Noting that only 14.6 % of the state population has been vaccinated against COVID-19, PH said state assembly and parliament needs to convene immediately to carry out its functions and duties.
Malaysia's King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah attends a welcoming ceremony at the Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia January 31, 2019. REUTERS/Lai Seng Sin/Files
King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah first declared circumstances of emergency on Jan 12 to curb the spread of COVID-19. The emergency was scheduled to last until Aug 1 or earlier according to the state of coronavirus infections.
Because it was declared, federal parliamentary sessions and state legislative assemblies have not sat. No elections were held during this time period.
The suspension of parliament was regarded as a move that helped prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin avoid an immediate challenge to his razor-thin majority in the august house.
Opposition leaders have pleaded with the king against extending the state of emergency and needed parliament to reconvene.
On Jun 16, Istana Negara issued a statement for parliamentary sittings to reconvene immediately, following the king chaired a particular rulers' conference.
On a single day, the Malay rulers also released a statement saying there was no need to extend the state of emergency beyond Aug 1.
The rulers were also of the view that legislative assemblies within their respective states also needs to convene immediately.
"The assembly methods and procedures currently practised in a few countries, that have been proven to be able to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus, ought to be introduced and accepted in this country," the statement said.
Over the weekend, Mr Muhyiddin said a committee comprising government and opposition representatives has been formed to look into important aspects before parliament is reconvened.
He said that the committee will consider if the sitting will be a hybrid or a physical parliamentary sitting.
Adding that the federal government had to consider all matters in order to avoid problems following the implementation, Mr Muhyiddin stressed that he had no intention to delay the reconvening of parliament.
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