ZAHID, VIGNESWARAN MEET KING
Umno chief says he conveyed to Agong party’s stand that Parliament must re-open
SEVERAL more political party leaders presented themselves to Yang diPertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin AlMustafa Billah Shah at Istana Negara, as the King summoned senior politicians for the third day yesterday.
Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was the first yesterday, arriving at 9.55am and leaving at 11am.
Zahid, speaking to reporters outside the palace gates, said he conveyed to Al-Sultan Abdullah Umno’s stand that the emergency should not be extended beyond Aug 1 and Covid-19 could be better managed if the emergency was lifted.
He said the people were anxious about the pandemic as it had affected their livelihoods.
“Umno’s stand is that Parliament should meet to protect the
country’s system of democracy and to provide for accountability and checks and balances in all aspects of the country’s administration.
“Umno is of the view that Parliament
is an important platform for voicing the people’s concerns and interests,” Zahid said.
Asked on former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s proposal that a national operations council be set up, he said this matter was not discussed during his audience.
MIC president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran arrived the palace at 10.45am and left almost an hour later. He did not speak to reporters.
Leaders of all political parties have been summoned by His Majesty since Wednesday.
Leaders from Sarawak are scheduled to have a virtual audience with Al-Sultan Abdullah on Monday.
So far, 10 leaders have been granted audiences by Al-Sultan Abdullah.
This afternoon, Parti Bersatu Sabah president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, who is also minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs), was seen entering Istana Negara at 2.15pm and leaving at 3.24pm.
Three days ago, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had his weekly audience to brief the King on the country’s administration.
Later that day, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also PKR president, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu were also granted separate audiences by Al-Sultan Abdullah.
On Thursday, Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, who is environment and water minister and representing Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, and MCA president and Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong were also granted audiences with His Majesty.
They were followed by Dr Mahathir, who is Parti Pejuang Tanah Air pro tem chairman, and Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.