THE idea to prorogue the Parliament session as a solution to the crisis of determining the majority in the Dewan Rakyat should not be entertained, said DAP Senator Liew Chin Tong.

He said the proposal by MIC president S.A. Vigneswaran was just a ploy to extend the tenure of the administration of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who allegedly lost his majority in the House this week.

“More people should condemn such ideas and I urge the prime minister to rule out the possibility of suspending Parliament.

“I hope he will assure the people he will not kill democracy in order to keep his position as prime minister,” Liew said in a statement today.

Liew said no party should subvert the spirit of the federal constitution.

“Attempting to subvert Malaysian democracy just to keep the current prime minister in office, knowing he may lose a parliamentary vote, is going to hurt and harm the nation for generations,” Liew said.

On Wednesday, former Dewan Negara speaker Vigeneswaran recommended that Parliament be suspended so that the government can concentrate on Covid-19 containment efforts.

He said the prorogation of Parliament appeared to be the country’s safest bet towards maintaining public order, the life of the economy and political stability, and added it could be done through Article 55(2) of the federal constitution, which states that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong may prorogue or dissolve Parliament.

Vigneswaran made the recommendation a day after Pakatan Harapan chairman Anwar Ibrahim told the king he has the parliamentary majority to claim the office of prime minister.

Anwar also announced the collapse of Muhyiddin’s Perikatan Nasional government.

Liew said the proposal to suspend Parliament was the most dangerous idea he had heard this week to resolve the current political situation.

“Malaysia’s fledgling democracy will be under threat, just to keep a government alive.

“It is the most irresponsible act of any political party that is still interested in participating in elections to make such calls,” he said.

Barisan Nasional secretary-general Annuar Musa had said the coalition had never considered asking for Parliament to be suspended, adding the idea was solely that of the MIC president.

Despite this, Liew said he “knows and has heard” of such talk in high places.

Anwar was questioned at Bukit Aman yesterday, following his meeting with the king on Tuesday, where he said he presented evidence on the MPs who supported his bid to become prime minister.

After Tuesday’s audience, the palace issued a statement that Anwar never submitted a list of names to the king.

Anwar then said he never claimed to have given the list to the king, but rather letters and documents supporting his claim of having majority support in Parliament.

The Dewan Rakyat is set to convene on November 2 for 27 days until December 15. – October 17, 2020.