THE government will act based on the federal constitution and other laws in heeding the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s call for Parliament to be convened soon, said the Prime Minister’s Department in a statement today.

The PMO also said it took note of the king’s decree yesterday on the matter.

“The government will take follow-up action based on the federal constitution and the country’s laws,” it said.

The PMO added that the prime minister in his previous audiences with the Agong had briefed and advised him on the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, the enforcement of the Emergency Ordinance and the implementation of the national vaccination programme.

It said the PM had also briefed and advised the king on the various financial packages carried out to help the people, on the reopening of Parliament, on the National Recovery Plan and all other related matters.

Yesterday, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, after a special meeting with the Malay rulers, had issued a statement calling for Parliament to reconvene soon to discuss and debate issues concerning the Covid-19 pandemic.

The rulers, in a separate statement, also called for the same, and said the emergency should not be extended beyond August 1.

The last Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara meetings were on December 14 and 28, 2020, respectively.

In February, the king decreed that Parliament should meet even during a state of emergency.

In his address to the nation on Tuesday, Muhyiddin said Parliament can reconvene under Phase 3 of the government’s national recovery plan, which is around September or October.

“I give my commitment that Parliament will reopen in this phase under tight standard operating procedure (SOP),” the prime minister said in his national address.

The opposition pact, Pakatan Harapan, today told Muhyiddin to call for Parliament sitting immediately following the king’s decree, or step down. – June 17, 2021.