THE Malay rulers have arrived at Istana Negara for a special meeting with the king scheduled at 2.30pm.

Among the early arrivals were the Regent of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah and Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who appeared respectively at Istana Negara at 11am and noon.

The meeting will discuss the input from political leaders who met separately last week with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

Comptroller of the Royal Household of Istana Negara Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin had revealed that experts from government agencies were also expected to present a briefing on health and safety, political and economic matters during the meeting.

The Agong had met with a total of 18 political leaders to hear their views on various issues.

His Majesty also granted an audience to the Special Independent Committee on Emergency chairman, Arifin Zakaria.

Earlier today Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah in a statement urged the Malay rulers to pick a political leader who has the ability and depth of understanding to deliver the nation from the Covid crisis.

The Gua Musang MP said the rulers have a duty at this crucial moment to assume the constitutional role with parliament in suspension.

On January 12, Al-Sultan Abdullah proclaimed a state of emergency effective until August 1 as a measure to contain the worsening Covid-19 outbreak in Malaysia.

Today’s special meeting of Malay rulers is the second to be held at Istana Negara since Al-Sultan Abdullah ascended the throne on January 31, 2019.

The first meeting was held on October 25 last year.

King free to choose adviser

A constitutional law expert meanwhile said the Malay rulers must consider the provision that the Agong need not heed the advice of the prime minister in all matters.

The conference must discuss the choice, which is provided for in article 40(1) of the federal constitution, said Universiti Malaysia Pahang’s Dr Wan Ahmad Fauzi Wan Husain.

He said while the suspension of the requirement should only be a temporary measure, it would allow for better management of the Covid-19 crisis.

“With the suspension of that requirement, the Agong can consider proposals from all parties as a way out of this pandemic, without being tied to the advice of the prime minister or his cabinet,” he said.

He said the king is also free to order for a separate body to be set up to help the government battle the pandemic.

The king can also order parliament to sit again; the lawmakers can then decide on the need for the emergency and the emergency ordinances, he added. – June 16, 2021.