The Third Session of the 14th Parliament sitting on May 18 for half a day, involving the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's speech with no debates, was unconstitutional and unlawful, the High Court here was told today.
Lawyer Bastian Vendargon, representing lawyer, R. Kengadharan, and a social activist, D. Arumugam in a suit against Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and former Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof, submitted that in doing so, the government had exercised its powers for an improper purpose, which was to prevent the Parliament from carrying out its constitutional duties.
"By barring Members (of Parliament) from doing anything apart from sitting still, while the Agong delivers His Majesty's address, the actual purpose of the government's agenda is plainly to exert full and illegitimate control over Parliament. Not only is this unconstitutional, it is also unlawful, being an improper exercise of the power conferred.
"Moreover, the purported 'reason' for a one-day sitting based on the COVID-19 pandemic is merely a fig leaf. Legislatures in the United Kingdom, Singapore and Canada, for example, have convened to pass legislation necessitated by COVID-19," he added.
Kengadharan, and Arumugam filed the suit last May 15, naming Muhyiddin and Mohamad Ariff as the first and second defendant respectively, to seek a declaration that the one-day sitting was unconstitutional.
Senior federal counsel Suzana Atan, however, submitted that matters relating to the calendar and the Order of Business of the Parliament are all related to the Dewan Rakyat’s proceedings and immune from judicial interference by virtue of Article 63 of the Federal Constitution.
Therefore, she said, the court should decline the plaintiffs’ invitation to exercise its judicial authority over Dewan Rakyat proceedings.
"In any event, their (plaintiff) complaint is devoid of merit as the amendments to the calendar and Order of Business were all in compliance of the provisions of the Standing Orders. Even if the plaintiffs hold a contrary view, the non-compliance of the Standing Orders are mere irregularities.
"For these reasons, we pray that the plaintiffs' application to be dismissed with costs," said Suzana who is assisted by senior federal counsel S. Narkunavathy.
The presiding judge, Datuk Ahmad Kamal Md. Shahid, then fixed Sept 3 to deliver his decision.
According to the lawsuit, Kengadharan, and Arumugam are seeking a declaration that the May 18 Parliament sitting was null and void as it only heard the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s speech and therefore contravened Article 55 (1) of the Federal Constitution.
They claimed the first sitting was illusory as there were no other important events that took place as stated under the Standing Order 14 of the Dewan Rakyat.
Dewan Rakyat secretary Nizam Mydin Bacha Mydin, in his affidavit filed on behalf of Muhyiddin and Mohamad Ariff, said the May 18 Parliament sitting was in accordance with the Federal Constitution and the Dewan Rakyat Standing Order.
According to Nizam Mydin, the application by Kengadharan, and Arumugam has no merit as the validity of any Dewan Rakyat proceedings cannot be challenged in any court as stipulated under Article 63 (1) of the Federal Constitution.
On May 13, Mohamad Ariff, in a statement said he had received a notification letter signed by Prime Minister as the Ketua Majlis stating that the government has decided that the agenda for the First Meeting of the Third Session of the 14th Parliament, which will take place for one day, has been amended to focus only on the Royal Address.
He said this was due to the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic in the country was not fully over.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Thu Jul 30 2020
![Parliament sitting on May 18 unconstitutional, unlawful - Lawyer Parliament sitting on May 18 unconstitutional, unlawful - Lawyer](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-07/81596100192_courtgavelmahkam.jpg)
The presiding judge, Datuk Ahmad Kamal Md. Shahid, then fixed Sept 3 to deliver his decision.
![PRK Nenggiri: Peratusan keluar mengundi indikator, tawan semula atau status quo PRK Nenggiri: Peratusan keluar mengundi indikator, tawan semula atau status quo](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723697236_CalonPRKNenggiri.jpg)
PRK Nenggiri: Peratusan keluar mengundi indikator, tawan semula atau status quo
Peratusan keluar mengundi akan menjadi antara indikator penting yang menentukan keputusan Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Nenggiri Sabtu ini, sama ada Barisan Nasional (BN) berjay
[TERKINI] Banduan Iran ditahan disyaki miliki heroin
Seorang banduan lelaki warga Iran yang sedang menjalani hukuman penjara 30 tahun di Penjara Tapah ditahan pada petang Rabu kerana disyaki memiliki dadah jenis heroin.
!['Keluarga mula sedar kehilangan Nidza Afham selepas dimaklumkan kekasihnya' - Aufahanie 'Keluarga mula sedar kehilangan Nidza Afham selepas dimaklumkan kekasihnya' - Aufahanie](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41723698722_NidzaAfham.jpg)
'Keluarga mula sedar kehilangan Nidza Afham selepas dimaklumkan kekasihnya' - Aufahanie
Aufahanie mendedahkan dia dan ahli keluarga mula sedar tentang kehilangan abangnya, Nidza Afham selepas dimaklumkan oleh kekasih arwah abangnya itu.
[TERKINI] Pembunuhan Cikgu Istiqomah: Polis serahkan kertas siasatan kepada PPN hari ini
Kertas siasatan berhubung kes pembunuhan kejam guru wanita Istiqomah Ahmad Rozi, 33, akan diserahkan kepada Pejabat Pendakwaan Negeri (PPN) hari ini untuk arahan lanjut.
![Polis tahan banduan warga Iran miliki dadah di Penjara Tapah Polis tahan banduan warga Iran miliki dadah di Penjara Tapah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723698023_AziziMatAris.jpg)
Polis tahan banduan warga Iran miliki dadah di Penjara Tapah
Seorang banduan warga Iran yang sedang menjalani hukuman di Penjara Tapah didapati memiliki dadah jenis heroin.
![Jangan normalkan remaja bawah umur memandu Jangan normalkan remaja bawah umur memandu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723017349_TBbawahumur.jpg)
Jangan normalkan remaja bawah umur memandu
Masyarakat dinasihatkan untuk tidak menormalkan perbuatan memandu kenderaan oleh remaja bawah umur yang berbahaya termasuk boleh mengakibatkan kematian.
AWANI Ringkas: Bukan arahan saya - Fahmi Fadzil
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Wang kertas tertera wajah Raja Charles dilelong RM5.2 juta
Wang kertas tertera wajah pemerintah monarki Britain, Raja Charles III, berjaya dilelong pada harga 914,127 pound Sterling (RM5.2 juta) dalam empat siri lelongan di London baru-baru ini.
Penemuan takungan air, saintis percaya wujud hidupan di Marikh
Jumlah takungan air yang banyak jauh di dalam kerak planet Marikh, menimbulkan semula persoalan dalam kalangan saintis yang percaya tentang kemungkinan wujudnya hidupan di planet merah tersebut.
Mpox atau cacar monyet: WHO isytihar mpox kecemasan kesihatan awam global
Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO) mengisytiharkan Monkeypox atau Mpox sebagai kecemasan kesihatan awam global, pada Rabu.
![Projek Pan Borneo Sabah: KKR akan kerap turun padang bantu kerajaan Sabah Projek Pan Borneo Sabah: KKR akan kerap turun padang bantu kerajaan Sabah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/61693605238_TBNantaLinggi.jpg)
Projek Pan Borneo Sabah: KKR akan kerap turun padang bantu kerajaan Sabah
KKR akan turun padang dengan lebih kerap untuk membantu kerajaan negeri Sabah memulihkan pakej-pakej kerja bagi Fasa 1A Lebuhraya Pan Borneo Sabah yang dikategorikan bermasalah dan 'sakit'.
![KSU kementerian diminta kemuka RUU baharu, pindaan 14 hari lebih awal KSU kementerian diminta kemuka RUU baharu, pindaan 14 hari lebih awal](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723462110_JohariAbdul.jpg)
KSU kementerian diminta kemuka RUU baharu, pindaan 14 hari lebih awal
Ketua Setiausaha di semua kementerian diminta untuk mengemukakan Rang Undang-Undang (RUU) baharu atau pindaan RUU kepada Parlimen 14 hari lebih awal.
![Kerajaan negeri dicadang masukkan peruntukan khas Speaker dalam bajet negeri Kerajaan negeri dicadang masukkan peruntukan khas Speaker dalam bajet negeri](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723118995_TanSriJohariAbdul.jpg)
Kerajaan negeri dicadang masukkan peruntukan khas Speaker dalam bajet negeri
Semua kerajaan negeri dicadangkan agar memasukkan peruntukan khas berkaitan keraian untuk diberikan kepada Speaker Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) dalam bajet negeri masing-masing.
![Ahli Parlimen tidak hadir persidangan Dewan Rakyat berisiko kehilangan elaun Ahli Parlimen tidak hadir persidangan Dewan Rakyat berisiko kehilangan elaun](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51722959383_DewanUndanganNeger.jpg)
Ahli Parlimen tidak hadir persidangan Dewan Rakyat berisiko kehilangan elaun
Ahli Parlimen yang gagal menghadiri persidangan Dewan Rakyat untuk tempoh tertentu berisiko kehilangan elaun sebaik Akta Perkhidmatan Parlimen (PSA) berkuat kuasa.
![Sidang Anak Muda K2K buka ruang golongan muda bersuara Sidang Anak Muda K2K buka ruang golongan muda bersuara](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41722680937_FahmiFadzil.jpg)
Sidang Anak Muda K2K buka ruang golongan muda bersuara
Sidang Anak Muda Program Kita-Untuk-Kita (K2K) membuka peluang kepada golongan muda bersuara, mengemukakan pandangan serta mendalami konteks sidang Dewan Rakyat dengan lebih jelas.
![Belanjawan 2025: KDN beri tumpuan perkasa aset, kebajikan Belanjawan 2025: KDN beri tumpuan perkasa aset, kebajikan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51719314089_SaifuddinNasution.jpg)
Belanjawan 2025: KDN beri tumpuan perkasa aset, kebajikan
Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN) menumpukan usaha pada mempertingkatkan aset dan kebajikan pasukan keselamatan di bawah kementerian itu menerusi Belanjawan 2025.
![Pembunuhan Ismail Haniyeh: PN seru kerajaan panggil segera Mesyuarat Khas Dewan Rakyat - Muhyiddin Pembunuhan Ismail Haniyeh: PN seru kerajaan panggil segera Mesyuarat Khas Dewan Rakyat - Muhyiddin](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81722426334_IsmailHaniyehMuh.jpg)
Pembunuhan Ismail Haniyeh: PN seru kerajaan panggil segera Mesyuarat Khas Dewan Rakyat - Muhyiddin
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin berkata, insiden terhadap Ismail merupakan jenayah tidak berperikemanusiaan, terkutuk lagi terkeji yang wajib dikecam sekeras-kerasnya.
![Tempoh perkhidmatan PM 10 tahun perlu dibahaskan di Parlimen - Azalina Tempoh perkhidmatan PM 10 tahun perlu dibahaskan di Parlimen - Azalina](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721634695_AzalinaOthmanSaid.jpg)
Tempoh perkhidmatan PM 10 tahun perlu dibahaskan di Parlimen - Azalina
Suatu sidang khas Parlimen perlu diadakan di bawah Peraturan 11(3), Peraturan Dewan Rakyat dan Dewan Negara untuk membahaskan pengehadan tempoh perkhidmatan Perdana Menteri tidak melebihi 10 tahun.
![Pertikaian politik: Guna nama penjawat awam boleh jatuhkan reputasi perkhidmatan - Cuepacs Pertikaian politik: Guna nama penjawat awam boleh jatuhkan reputasi perkhidmatan - Cuepacs](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/81706413642_AdnanMat.jpg)
Pertikaian politik: Guna nama penjawat awam boleh jatuhkan reputasi perkhidmatan - Cuepacs
Tindakan sesetengah ahli politik yang sesuka hati menggunakan nama penjawat awam dalam pertikaian politik adalah sangat tidak bertanggungjawab kerana boleh menjatuhkan reputasi perkhidmatan awam.
![Bulgaria sekali lagi gagal bentuk kerajaan di tengah-tengah kekacauan politik Bulgaria sekali lagi gagal bentuk kerajaan di tengah-tengah kekacauan politik](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721686691_Bulgariaparliament.jpg)
Bulgaria sekali lagi gagal bentuk kerajaan di tengah-tengah kekacauan politik
Ahli politik Bulgaria sekali lagi gagal membentuk kerajaan selepas pilihan raya parlimen pada Jun.