PARLIAMENTARY affairs minister Takiyuddin Hassan has criticised the Pakatan Harapan (PH) leadership, saying the opposition has failed to set the right priorities in protesting the one-day parliamentary sitting set for May 18.

In a statement, Takiyuddin said Putrajaya is aware of the views and suggestions by the PH presidential council but believes it is premature, narrow and fails to grasp the priority of the government and state.

He said the government’s decision to reconvene Dewan Rakyat only for one day was based on the current Covid-19 crisis in the country.

The one-day sitting was specifically for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to declare it open, with debates to take place in July.

He said the government’s decision is based on efforts to end the Covid-19 pandemic as well as urgent steps to help the people address its short-term effects.

He added the government’s decisions is also based on existing laws, views and sentiments of all parties.

“While we may have nearly succeeded in overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic, the government is not prepared to take any risks, if we are to learn from the experience of other pandemic-hit countries.

“The government believes that in the current situation, we are not in a competition on who is more popular, but who makes what is more effective a priority.

“The government will continue to be guided by the advice of the Ministry of Health as well as the relevant specialists to ensure that its decisions and actions are based on facts for the benefit and safety of all.”

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, in a TV interview on Tuesday, had said restricting the first sitting of the year to one day was “pointless” and makes “no sense”.

Anwar, who is Port Dickson MP, had said nothing much could be achieved in one day, but suggested to have the sitting over two days. – April 25, 2020.