KOTA KINABALU: Former law minister Liew Vui Keong has questioned the decision of the government to table bills to tackle the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic only in July.
Liew said he was “puzzled” by current de facto law minister Takiyuddin Hassan’s remarks in a television interview recently where he spoke on issues related to the one-day Dewan Rakyat sitting on May 18.
During the interview, Takiyuddin had said the government would undertake an “unprecedented” move by amending existing acts and introducing new bills to better handle the crisis caused by the pandemic.
Liew was disappointed that the government will only table these bills in July, some five months into the pandemic.
“I am still unsure if he understands the urgency for these legal matters to be resolved by Parliament.
“Why the need to wait for a July sitting to table and amend these important laws? Why the refusal to call for a special sitting immediately to assist Malaysians now?” Liew asked in a statement here today.
He said many Malaysians are unemployed now due to the outbreak and many more will be plunged into bankruptcy and insolvency in the coming months.
“The faster these laws are tabled and enforced, the faster Malaysians can overcome the challenges brought by this pandemic.
“Your fear to convene Parliament due to your illegitimacy is affecting all Malaysians today.”
Liew said the Perikatan Nasional government could have tabled the necessary bills at the May 18 sitting.
He called on the de facto law minister to urge the prime minister to immediately convene a special parliamentary sitting as soon as possible to table these Covid-19-related bills.
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