The "special sitting" of our Dewan Rakyat commences tomorrow for the next five days and after that the sitting of the Dewan Negara commences on August 3 for the next three days.
What will our 220 MPS do? What can they do? Will they fulfil the rakyat's expectations? Or will these great expectations be misplaced?
Earlier media reports said that the meeting will focus on the National Recovery Plan, the Emergency Proclamation, the Emergency Ordinances, the national vaccination program and the economic stimulous packages.
The Prime Minister and relevant cabinet minister will make their presentations, after which we are told MPs can ask questions for further elaborations.
Dewan Negara President Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim was quoted at saying that to ensure this "special meeting" of Parliament will run smoothly and safely, all Covid-19 standard operating procedures set by the Health Ministry and the National Security Council will be enforced at all times.
According to Dewan Rakyat Speaker, Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun, the first regular sitting of Parliament will officially kick off on September 6 to September 30. The opening ceremonoy of the 14th Parliament on that day will be officated by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
As this is a "special sitting" of the federal legislature, there will be no Royal Address by the Yang diPertuan Agong, a matter that had been the subject of criticism by DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang. In my opinion, it is a minor issue.
We should remember if it had not been for Istana Negara's recent "intervention" in this regard, we may not even have a special sitting of Parliament until September.
Some quarters have asked "Can we expect walk-outs and fireworks during the next five days?" I hope not. There is hardly sufficient time for serious work. We definitely cannot waste time on theatrics and childish antics from our lawmakers.
Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed had been quoted that he and his Pejuang party members would not attend the session if "it is just a briefing." We will soon enough whether this will come to pass.
Also expressing a similar sentiment, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said "We cannot accept a parliamentary sitting where MPs are called in only to listen to ceramahs, or ministerial speeches, without full debates."
Law Minister Takiyuddin Hassan told Bernama that it was not true that the special sitting would be a one-sided affair with MPs listening to ministerial briefings and they can ask questions and give their views.
Communications and Multimedia Minister, Saifuddin Abdullah echoed him, adding "it is up to the speaker to allow time for matters to be debated."
Both were countering claims by opposition MPs that it would be better for the special sitting to be held virtually, if the intention was merely to make the MPs "listen to the ministers' lectures".
So how will it finally work out? I suspect it might either be fulfilling expectations or a disappointment.
The writer was a federal counsel at the Attorney-General's Chambers and visiting professor at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai. He is now a full-time consultant, trainer and author
