Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Harun and Dewan Negara president Rais Yatim said in a statement today a special parliamentary committee set up to study the possibility of having a hybrid sitting made this decision.
They said the special sitting – to discuss amendments to the Standing Orders to enable a hybrid sitting – will be subjected to strict SOPs.
“This special sitting is important to ensure all senators and MPS take part in matters that need certain Standing Orders to be amended,” they said.
Azhar and Rais added that a hybrid Parliament sitting can be held by the end of August or early September.
“As per His Majesty Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah’s decree on June 16, we would like to say we are ready to hold Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara sittings according to provisions under the Federal Constitution and the Standing Orders.
“A committee has been set up to look into the technical aspects of the hybrid sitting.
“However, we need some time, probably until early September, to fine-tune certain matters before we can commence the hybrid sitting,” they said.
Azhar and Rais also said that under the proposed hybrid sitting, at least 26 MPs or 10 senators need to be present physically in the House, while other MPs or senators can follow the proceeding virtually.
Last week, Istana Negara said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong wants Parliament to reconvene as soon as possible.
The Comptroller of the Royal Household Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said the King was aware of Parliament’s important role in discussing issues involving Covid-19.
Fadil said the King took this stand after being briefed by the special emergency committee and experts, adding that Parliament sittings would allow for the emergency ordinances and the national recovery plan to be debated by MPs.
The royal statement came after a special meeting with the Malay Rulers last Wednesday, chaired by Sultan Abdullah.
The King previously granted separate audiences to 18 political party leaders to discuss the Emergency and measures to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
Some of the leaders had said that they asked for the Emergency to be lifted and Parliament to be reconvened during their meetings with the King.
Meanwhile, the Malay Rulers in a separate statement said there was no need to extend the Emergency beyond Aug 1.
We are live on Telegram, subscribe here for breaking news and the latest announcements.