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ALL four people who tested positive for Covid-19 are aides to a senator and not members of Parliament’s staff, says Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun.
“They did a Covid-19 test to be able to attend the Budget presentation this Friday,” said the president of Dewan Rakyat.
Datuk Mahfuz Omar (PH-Pokok Sena) had expressed concern over the news that several officers along with an auxiliary police personnel had tested positive for Covid-19.
Azhar noted that the auxiliary police officer was not on duty in Parliament.
Several opposition lawmakers lobbied, asking if it was safe to be in Dewan Rakyat.
Datuk Dr. Xavier Jayakumar (PH-Kuala Langat) asked if lawmakers should conduct another round of Covid-19 testing after the incident and if attendees were quarantined.
Dr. Maszlee Malik (Ind-Simpang Renggam) wanted to know the last time the officers had come to the office, since he shared the same office space with them.
The Speaker immediately called for calm.
“YB, please sit down. I understand and we all understand (the situation).
“Why do you want to make it a problem?
“Please remain calm, we have standard operating procedure.
“We will take care of each other and everyone here has tested negative,” Azhar said.
The Spokesperson then called for a voice vote to lift the Dewan Rakyat at 1pm every day, until this Thursday.
The Minister of the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan, made a motion under Standing Order 12 (1) to end the session of Parliament earlier.
The motion was supported by the Minister of Housing and Local Government, Zuraida Kamaruddin.
Takiyuddin also made a motion to advance the Special Chamber meetings, which generally start at 2:20 to 11:30, until Thursday.
Seven people were found to be positive for Covid-19 in an assessment conducted before Monday’s parliamentary session.
An auxiliary police officer was reported to have tested positive and, through contact tracing, three of his colleagues and his wife also tested positive.
A person working in the media had also tested positive.
On Monday, Senator Ras Adiba Radzi said that his sister, Ras Afiona Radzi, who is also his special assistant, had tested positive.
Ras Adiba is now awaiting his Covid-19 detection results.
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