King Touches On Political Crisis Tried To Convice Dr M Against Resigning

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LIVE | We brings you live reports and streaming on the one-day Dewan Rakyat sitting from the entrance to the Parliament House
SALIENT POINTSKing touches on political crisis, tried to convice Dr M against resigningKing: We are at war with Covid-19Anwar takes first seat in opposition bench, Dr M in the centreUnusual sitting arrangementKeep off the road - police warns reporters of arrestPolitical polarisation a cause for concern, says ruler10.40am - The Yang Di-Pertuan Agong expresses concern over the state of national unity
"I am concerned by the existence of political polarisation, any provocation or values that go against our norms and laws must be contained before things worsen
"I welcome the National Unity Action Plan to ensure the unity agenda can be inculcated," he says
He also urges the government to secure the country's maritime borders and ensure equitable economic distribution
King touches on political crisis, tried to convice Dr M against resigning10.35am - The ruler then addresses the political crisis in the nation
The Yang Di-Pertuan Agong says he accepted Dr Mahathir Mohamad's resignation with sadness and had tried to convince him against stepping down but to no avail
He points out that after a process to establish who the MPs supported, he found that Pagoh MP Muhyiddin Yassin commanded the majority
"The national political crisis cannot be allowed to become drawn out without an end
“After the process in line with the Constitution, I found that Muhyiddin commanded the majority among members of the Dewan Rakyat and was therefore appointed as prime minister," he adds
He thanks MPs and the people for their maturity in allowing the process to take place and urges Muhyiddin's government to be responsible, honest and not neglect the people's welfare
King: We are at war with Covid-1910.25am - The Yang Di-Pertuan Agong removes his face mask to deliver his address
He notes the unusual circumstances of the sitting which, for the first time, is held during the Ramadan fasting month
"At present, the country is waging a war against Covid-19..
“But we have faced this pandemic as a united Malaysia that is resilient and disciplined," he says
The monarch praises healthcare workers and asks MPs to acknowledge their contribution
The MPs rise and applaud the healthcare workers
King and his entourage enter the House with face masks10.20am - The Yang Di-Pertuan Agong enters the House donning a face mask. His ceremonial escorts are also wearing face masks
The MPs rise as he walks in and takes his position. All MPs are also wearing face masks
The lawmakers are separated from each other in accordance with the social distancing guidelines with regard to Covid-19
Unusual sitting arrangement10.20am - The seating arrangement for this sitting is unusual
Based on the floor plan and photographs from the chamber, MPs are not allowed to sit together and must leave one seat empty between them
This leads to some MPs having to sit in the public gallery
According to the floor plan, the number of distribution of seats are -- 114 government MPs, 107 from Pakatan Hapara and one independentDr Mahathir Mohamad (Bersatu-Langkawi), on the other hand, finds himself in an unfamiliar part of the Dewan Rakyat
For most of his political career, the 95-year-old politician sat on the right side of the speaker as prime minister
Now, he is sitting at the rear in the "D block", almost directly opposite the speaker and behind the sergeant-at-arms
His party - Bersatu - appears to be split across the floor, with most on the government bench and a handful on the opposition bench
Anwar takes first seat in opposition bench, Dr M in the centre10.15am - PKR president Anwar Ibrahim takes the first seat in the opposition bench as the new opposition leader
Next to him are Amanah president pesident Mohamad Sabu, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, former deputy premier Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang
Whereas Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad, as well as Warisan president Mohd Shafie Apdal, are seated at another table, in the centre of the House, seperated from Pakatan Harapan lawmakers but are part of the opposition bloc
Mahathir's son and Bersatu deputy president Mukhriz and party Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman are in the same bloc as the former premier
Bell rings, MPs summoned into the House10.10am - The Parliament bell begins to ring, summoning all MPs into the House
However, most MPs are already in the hall in anticipation of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong's speech to officiate the first Dewan Rakyat sitting since the infamous “Sheraton Move”
By convention, Parliament sits for three meetings a year. The rule officiates the first sitting each year
This is the first time the government has limited the siting to a single day due to the Covid-19 pandemic
The agenda, much to the chagrin of opposition lawmakers, has also been limited to a single issue, which is the ruler's address
King enters Parliament buiding10.00am - Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah alights from his vehicle. He is flanked by Dewan Rakyat speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof and Dewan Negara president S Vigneswaran
They observe the national anthem before making their way into the Parliament building. Minutes earlier, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had also arrived ahead of the monarch
Dr M, Najib arrive9.25am - Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad arrives with his escorts
He waves at the media from his black Proton Perdana bearing the number plate RIMAU 1925 but does not stop to speak with them before entering the Parliament compound
Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak arrives five minutes later. Also spotted were other opposition leaders such as DAP sectretary-general Lim Guan Eng and PKR's Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
Earlier, a team of 10 riot police arrived and advised the media to keep their distance
Johari: 'Hopefully' a peaceful session9.15am - Pakatan Harapan parliamentary whip Johari Abdul arrives. He rolls down his car window to greet the media
Asked if he expects a peaceful sitting today, he replies, "Hopefully."He, however, reiterates that PKR is unhappy with the parliamentary sitting agenda
Keep off the road - police warns reporters of arrest9.10am - Dang Wangi district police chief Mohd Fahmi Visuvanathan Abdullah repeatedly reminds the press to keep their distance from one another
He tells them to stay off the road leading to the Parliament compound, failing which, they can be arrested
Only RTM and Bernama personnel are allowed to cover the sitting from the media room, dubbed by reporters as the “dungeon"
9am - The media is kept about 300m from the gates of the Parliament building and are basking in the morning sun
Parliament staff and MPs are streaming into the building
Parliament sits for one dayThe one-day Parliament sitting today will only see the opening address of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah
The Dewan Rakyat convenes for the first time since the "Sheraton Move", a political coup that saw Perikatan Nasional (PN) ousting the Pakatan Harapan government
Originally slated to be held from March 9 to April 16, the parliamentary sitting was postponed and shortened due to the Covid-19 pandemic
PN aborted its plan to table four motions and two bills today after the Dewan Rakyat accepted a motion of no confidence filed by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad against Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin
For the first time ever, close to 300 MPs and senators will attend the opening ceremony by observing social distancing
Only the official media is allowed to enter Parliament to cover the proceedings. - Mkini

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