THE government’s decision to limit the one-day Parliament sitting to just the Royal Address is in breach of parliamentary rules and regulations, said Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said it was also an attempt by the government to stop him from raising questions about Muhyiddin Yassin’s legitimacy and popularity as prime minister.

Speaking in a video message today, the former prime minister said the restriction imposed on the sitting was to stop him from tabling his no-confidence motion against Muhyiddin.

Earlier today, Dewan Rakyat secretary Riduan Rahmat had, in a letter addressed to all MPs, said that the prime minister had informed Parliament that the meeting on May 18 is to be restricted to the Royal Address.

Not even government matters on financing for Covid-19 mitigation packages are on the agenda, unlike an initial notice from the Dewan Rakyat secretary issued to MPs on April 17.

The initial notice to MPs stated that, in addition to the Royal Address, government matters on funding to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 would be heard.

“I was informed that, even though the speaker has consented for me to table a no-confidence motion against Muhyiddin, now we cannot debate.

“Even government matters will not be debated. Hence, what kind of sitting is this?” asked Dr Mahathir.

“Is it (only) for us to listen to the government’s position through the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s address? This is not a Parliament sitting.”

Dr Mahathir said he had waited for the opportunity to explain his reason for submitting a notice for a motion of no confidence against Muhyiddin.

“But, it looks like there is an attempt to stop me from talking, (even) as a member of Parliament. Even a lawmaker cannot speak in Parliament.

“So, what kind of government is this… a member of Parliament cannot speak even if there is a sitting,” he said.

The 94-year-old leader said the Dewan Rakyat would have been the right platform to determine the accuracy of Muhyiddin’s claim that he commands the majority support to be prime minister.

“Now, he may be able to get a majority because he has offered several positions, including to my supporters, but can he prove that he has the majority even at the material time when he was sworn in?” he asked.

During the political turmoil in late February when the Pakatan Harapan government collapsed, PH claimed that 114 MPs had supported Dr Mahathir to be prime minister.

In the end, Muhyiddin was sworn in as prime minister after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was satisfied that he had majority support based on interviews with the heads of political parties.

Dr Mahathir said actual support for Muhyiddin cannot be determined without a proper sitting of the Dewan Rakyat.

The Langkawi MP said it was for legal experts to determine if the one-day sitting is lawful. – May 13, 2020.