KUALA LUMPUR: After the Parliament was adjourned for the fourth time in a day, Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has accused the Perikatan Nasional government of trying to dodge vote sessions during the special sitting.

"They are adjourning this to avoid debates and votes. If they wanted to test us for Covid-19, there isn't a need to postpone sittings," he told reporters during a press conference in Parliament on Thursday (July 29).

Anwar said the latest statement by the Palace had clearly shown that the Perikatan government had contravened the Constitution when it revoked the Emergency Proclamation on Wednesday (July 21).

"The Emergency Proclamation was not laid in the House and the Minister who issued the confusing and misleading statements had failed to respect the rule of law and had also undermined the duties of the King in the process."

Anwar also said he submitted a motion to the House to push for Muhyiddin's resignation as prime minister.

"I'm bringing a motion as the Opposition leader for the Dewan Rakyat to make a ruling that this House has lost its confidence in Muhyiddin, and for him to be dropped as the prime minister immediately in accordance with the constitution," he said.

At the same time, Anwar said Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan must resign as the de facto law minister immediately, as his name was mentioned in the Palace's statement.

"But, we will leave it to the discretion of the King to save this country from the present crisis."

Asked if he will be seeking an audience with the King, Anwar said that depends on the ongoing political developments.

"Depends on developments in the coming days. We might be seeking an audience," he added.

Anwar also advised Malaysians to remain calm and abide by SOPs to avoid Covid-19.

"Malaysians can see clearly now that the ones in power have disobeyed the King and they are afraid to be in Parliament because they have lost the confidence of the people," he added.

On Thursday, a statement by the Istana Negara said the King had expressed great disappointment with the government's decision to revoke six Emergency Ordinances without his consent.

The King also expressed dismay that the revocation of the ordinances was not presented in Parliament by the government.

Shortly after the Istana Negara statement came out, the Parliament announced the first adjournment of 15 minutes at 12.30, the second adjournment of 1.5 hours at 1pm, and the third adjournment of 1.5 hours at 2.30pm.

The fourth adjournment was announced at 3.30pm, where the special sitting will resume at 5.15pm later, as everyone present in Parliament must undergo a Covid-19 screening after two positive cases were detected.

The five-day special sitting that began on Monday (July 26) will end next Monday (Aug 2).

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/07/29/anwar-questions-reasons-behind-adjourning-parliament-for-the-fourth-time