PUTRAJAYA, May 18 — Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today again questioned why the Dewan Rakyat sitting was only held for one day, sans debates on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s speech, adding that Sabah held its state assembly sitting for three days, with no hiccups.

"I am of the opinion that we cannot accept the reasoning that because of the pandemic, we can only meet for two hours, while in Sabah, the meeting is for three days, and how many fell sick after that?

"But in this Kuala Lumpur, maybe the air is filled with Covid-19, so that’s why people are afraid,” the Langkawi MP sarcastically said, calling the Parliament ‘gedung bisu’, instead of one where MPs are free to speak.

"That will spell the end of democracy, where we cannot speak as representatives of the people,” he added.

Dr Mahathir also praised Parliament staff, adding that the screening process was done very smoothly, adding that a longer Parliament meeting therefore would not be a problem if the said procedures are carefully observed.

"Technically we should ask for at least eight days,” he said at a press conference at his Perdana Leadership Foundation here.

Today’s one-day Parliament sitting concluded after the King’s address, with the next session scheduled to begin on July 13. 

It is in accordance with Article 55 (1) of the Federal Constitution stating that the Dewan shall convene no later than six months after its last meeting.