LETTER | It's just legal sense that Parliament should be sitting - for more than one day

LETTER | I read with interest Jacqueline Ann Surin’s Muhyiddin is keeping Parliament in the 14t century. 

I reckon that as part of the course on the Malaysian constitution which the learned writer had to attend when she was in the University of Malaya, she would have been taught that at the heart of the system of government based on the Westminster system, which Malaysia adopts, is the concept of the separation of powers between the three branches of government.

The three branches are not just like the three legs of a stool – as the writer would describe them – but three separate legs, each with functions constitutionally prescribed.

Basically, Parliament makes the law; the executive – commonly referred to as the government - implements the law; the courts interpret and apply the law.

But all three must function, failing which the system of government will collapse – just like the writer’s analogical stool.

Given that the courts – the third branch of government - are now up and running – much like the businesses – why isn’t Parliament?

And why is Parliament confined to a one-day sitting?

One does not have to look far and beyond our shores, because in neighbouring Singapore, Parliament was sitting through March and April even as the “circuit breaker” – the equivalent of the movement control order (MCO) here – was introduced on April 7.

“During exigencies, it is even more critical for Parliament to carry on its constitutional functions of legislating and holding the government to account,” so said their leader of the House, Grace Fu.

Through March and April, the Republic's Parliament introduced no less than 10 bills, six of which were passed into law.

This includes the Supplementary Supply Act to legalise the government's stimulus packages for the people and businesses. It also includes the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act for the purpose of giving temporary relief to financially distressed individuals, firms and other businesses affected by the pandemic.

It amplifies the constitutional function of Parliament of legislating, even in times of exigencies.

Now, it does not take much to sense the importance of Parliament sitting and carrying out its constitutional functions.

It’s just legal sense.

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