Speaking to reporters outside Istana Negara, Rashid maintained that the King must be advised by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin before Parliament can reopen, even during the Emergency.

The former PKR MP thanked the King for granting him an audience and for his concern over the situation.

“We will reconvene Parliament whether through hybrid or normal proceedings,” he said after his hour-long audience today.

Aside from Rashid, Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun and his other deputy Azalina Othman Said were also at the palace for an audience with the King this morning.

Dewan Negara president Rais Yatim and his deputy Mohamad Ali Mohamad were also present.

All five have since left the palace.

The meeting was believed to be about reconvening Parliament before the state of emergency ends after Aug 1.

Recently, Azhar and Rais had proposed that a special sitting of Parliament be held in early August to discuss how a hybrid parliamentary session (partly online and partly in person) could take place.

They said the special sitting could discuss amendments to Standing Orders enabling such a hybrid meeting, after which proceedings could be held by the end of August or early September.

Istana Negara had said the King wanted Parliament to be reconvened as soon as possible to allow for the emergency ordinances and national recovery plan to be debated by MPs.

The Rulers also issued a joint statement saying that the Emergency should not be extended beyond Aug 1.