KOTA KINABALU – Warisan lawmakers are urging for a fully in-person parliamentary sitting instead of a hybrid format.
In a joint statement, the eight MPs and one senator said a hybrid session, coupled with the short period of the Dewan Rakyat sitting – July 26 to 29, and August 2 – will not allow all parliamentarians to air their concerns, especially on the nation’s Covid-19 management.
The Prime Minister’s Office on Monday announced that the government has agreed to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the five-day Dewan Rakyat sitting, as well as a Dewan Negara session from August 3 to 5.
“The government should not be allowed to manipulate the procedures of Parliament to cover up their failures, shortcomings and mismanagement of the nation,” said the Warisan group.
“It is also indisputable that a properly functioning Parliament is key to ensuring that the democratic process is guaranteed and protected. Otherwise, our nation will descend into autocratic rule, as we are now experiencing under this emergency.
Therefore, we demand that when it is reconvened, Parliament is restored to its original status and position as an important role and foundation or cornerstone of parliamentary democracy, as enshrined in the federal constitution, the supreme law of our nation, and is allowed to function as the forum to hear and satisfy the voices of the people, for their welfare.”
The brief sessions in both houses of Parliament are not enough for meaningful debates to be held on the ordinances promulgated by the Perikatan Nasional government, they said.
The laws which will be laid before the Dewan Rakyat include:
- Emergency proclamation;
- Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021;
- Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021;
- Emergency (Employees’ Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Amenities) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021;
- Emergency (Essential Powers) (No. 2) Ordinance 2021;
- Emergency (Essential Powers) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021;
- Emergency (Offenders’ Compulsory Attendance) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021; and,
- Emergency (National Trust Fund) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021.
“There are a total of 220 existing members of the Dewan Rakyat and 70 members of the Dewan Negara, with limited time allotted to both houses to deal with and debate on these promulgated ordinances as required by Article 150(3) of the federal constitution to be made valid laws,” said the group.
This is totally unacceptable and blatantly contrary to the constitution. We strongly condemn this irresponsible action by the prime minister and government to treat Parliament with utter contempt and disregard.”
Such actions are akin to silencing the rakyat’s voice in draconian fashion, they said.
“Malaysians have the right to know the government’s actions, on whether (the government) has mismanaged the country’s Covid-19 situation.”
Many people have suffered hardship, hunger, illness and the loss of their loved ones amid the pandemic, and so, have the right to get answers from the government, added the lawmakers.
“The people also have the right to know how the billions of ringgit allotted by the government during this emergency period have been spent or disbursed without the proper approval or scrutiny of Parliament.
“In particular, the people have the right to know the full details of the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines, and why there are shortages despite billions of ringgit having been spent.
“It is only through Parliament that the people can get their answers.”
The statement, addressed to the Dewan Rakyat speaker, was issued by Penampang MP Datuk Darell Leiking, Datuk Rozman Isli (Labuan), Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis (Kota Belud), Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman (Sepanggar), Ahmad Hassan (Papar), Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi (Lahad Datu), Ma’mun Sulaiman (Kalabakan), Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Semporna) and Senator Datuk Douglas Lind. – The Vibes, July 7, 2021
