FACEBOOK and Instagram posts of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree for parliament to sit were removed minutes after they were published because they were “old posts”, palace officials said.

But many who spotted the posts before they were swiftly taken down believe they were new. In the posts, the king’s order that “Parlimen perlu diadakan secepat mungkin” (parliament must convene as soon as possible) was highlighted in bold.

The posts caused a stir on social media after the king on Wednesday emphasised a need for parliament to sit.

The king, after a meeting with the Malay rulers, issued a statement calling for the Dewan Rakyat to sit and debate the Covid-19 response.

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

Under Standing Orders 11(1) and (2), the first sitting in each session shall be decided by the king but subsequent meeting dates for the session will be decided by the House leader (prime minister) with at least 28 days’ notice.

Standing Orders 11(3) allow the speaker to set an earlier sitting date for the sake of public interest. The meeting agenda, however, will be set by the prime minister.

The Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara last sat respectively on December 14 and 28.  – June 18, 2021.