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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s parliamentary session was halted on Monday (Nov 2) after employees working in the Upper House tested positive for COVID-19.
This was the first day of the parliamentary session in which the budget for 2021 will be presented and voted.
De facto Law Minister Takiyuddin Hassan said the decision to shorten the session was made after an emergency meeting Monday morning with representatives of the party and the Health Ministry.
“After the meeting, we came to the conclusion that efforts to implement the new normal must be carried out without denying the rights of Members of Parliament (MP) to question, debate or vote here.
“Based on the standard operating procedures (SOPs) given to the deputies by parliament and the agreement of all who attended this morning’s meeting, I would like to make a motion pursuant to Standing Order 12 (1) to Today’s session will conclude at 1 pm and will meet again at 10 am tomorrow, November 3, ”he said.
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In response to the minister’s statement, Bayan Baru’s MP Sim Tze Tzin said it was unfair to shorten the session. “COVID-19 doesn’t take a break between 10 am and 1 pm,” he said.
Mr. Takiyuddin reiterated that the decision to shorten the session was made after consulting the representatives of all political parties.
“Actually, we shouldn’t make much of this, but we would like to report that some Senate employees have tested positive for COVID-19 and some senators are also suspected of having the virus. Get details and clarification from your (party) representatives.
“I am not a doctor, but the Ministry of Health has informed us that the risk is very high in our position. Because we are in this closed space and the glass divider can only provide a certain amount of protection, “he said.
The minister added that the room where the parliamentary debate was taking place was sanitized by the Fire and Rescue department every morning. However, these measures do not completely prevent the spread of COVID-19, he said.
“The longer we are here, the greater the risk and that is why we have suggested shortening the session without prejudice to any quarter,” he said.
Minister of the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Takiyuddin Hassan. (File photo: Bernama)
When asked to clarify whether this motion would apply to the full 27 days of this session, Mr. Takiyuddin clarified that Standing Order 12 (1) was only limited to the day it was filed. He said he would file another motion on Tuesday.
The leader of the Democratic Action Party, Lim Guan Eng, also reminded the session that the motion remains “open” as party representatives have yet to present and discuss the matter with their respective party leaders.
“This is an unprecedented move and it involves the supremacy and sovereignty of parliament. Please don’t erode MPs’ rights to debate, ”Lim said.
Shortly after Takiyiddin submitted the motion, Senator Ras Adiba Radzi issued a statement stating that his sister, who is also a special officer, tested positive for COVID-19.
“Currently 10 of my relatives and I are awaiting the results of our tests. We apologize for the inconvenience caused by what happened to my family,” he said.
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Parliament Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun, who chaired the session, added that if the early termination agreement applies until Thursday, a separate agreement on what would happen after the budget is presented will be discussed.
The 2021 budget will be presented on Friday, with the scheduled debate ending on December 10.
As of November 1, Malaysia has a total of 32,505 positive cases and 249 deaths. The number of active cases now stands at 10,036.
