KUALA LUMPUR – The government is considering reconvening Parliament under a hybrid format, says Law Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, just hours after a fellow cabinet member said the sitting will take place only once the country achieves Covid-19 herd immunity.
Takiyuddin said under the proposed hybrid system, some Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara members will be allowed to attend sittings physically, while others will do so virtually.
This, he said, is to ensure Parliament is able to continue playing its role, despite the Covid-19 pandemic and rehabilitation programmes undertaken by the government to combat the health crisis.
“Today, a virtual meeting was held between the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara speakers and I, as well as the respective deputy speakers.”
“It was to discuss matters relating to preparations towards a hybrid implementation of Parliament, covering the aspects of financial, infrastructure, legality, technicality and regulatory.
“The meeting today has agreed in principle to this concept plan, which will see the participation of MPs physically and virtually.”
The meeting has also agreed that a more detailed study is required before the idea is presented to the cabinet in the near future for consideration and approval, he added.
However, Takiyuddin made no mention of when the hybrid sitting can be expected to convene.
His statement seems at odds with Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, who earlier today said Parliament will sit only once Malaysia attains herd immunity via its vaccination programme.
Reconvening earlier will only spark more infection clusters, Malaysiakini quoted him as saying to reporters when met at a shopping mall here.
Parliament has been suspended since a nationwide emergency beginning January 11 to August 1 was declared in the country.
“What is important for us now is that everybody gets vaccinated. If everybody has (been vaccinated) and we have herd immunity, then... we can reopen Parliament, we can hold gatherings.
“However, when we are yet to reach there, why make such calls (to reconvene Parliament) that can spark more clusters, which can be damaging and create ill feelings?”
Takiyuddin’s statement that a hybrid Parliament is on the cards comes amid pressure from lawmakers across the political divide calling for the august house to reconvene following the worsening Covid-19 situation in the country.
Latest to join the call is Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, who is Umno’s Pengerang MP.
She recently said the reopening of Parliament will help the government in its fight against the pandemic.
She had proposed that the government enact an ordinance to allow the sitting without any motion of confidence to be heard. – The Vibes, June 4, 2021
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