KUALA LUMPUR – Only four MPs have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 for various reasons, said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun.
A majority of MPs are fully vaccinated, while another 35 have received at least one dose. Those who have not been jabbed will still be allowed to attend Dewan Rakyat sittings.
“All MPs are allowed to come to Parliament even if they are not vaccinated. However, we advise those who are not vaccinated to be careful, because we cannot stop them from performing their duties under the federal constitution,” he said during a virtual press conference detailing the preparations for the special Parliament sitting, which begins Monday.
Azhar said he had previously held discussions with National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who agreed that all parliamentary staff should be vaccinated. So far, 90% of them have received both shots.
Commenting on the preparations for the sitting, Azhar said Parliament has set certain “house rules”, among which is to ensure that every individual who comes to Parliament, including contractors, ministry staff and ministerial escort officers, have been vaccinated.
“If they are not vaccinated, we will not allow them to enter,” he said.
As a security measure, Azhar said every individual including MPs, officers on duty, parliamentary staff, media personnel, contractors’ workers, drivers and bodyguards will have to undergo swab tests.
A total of 1,008 people underwent screening two days ago, while all MPs were screened today.
A special session of the Dewan Rakyat will be held for five days beginning July 26, while the Dewan Negara will convene for three days beginning August 3.
Meanwhile, Azhar in a statement said that only 72 media personnel would be allowed to be present at the Parliament building, adding that this is part of measures to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission.
In addition, he said Parliament has also prepared hybrid press conference platform facilities and exclusive interactive interview sessions with MPs through Zoom.
“These virtual press conferences and interviews will provide an opportunity for all media personnel who are unable to be physically present at the Parliament building to participate in all press conferences or interviews that may be held by any MP during the special session,” he said.
Azhar said Parliament will provide a special room that houses two computers and audiovisual equipment with dedicated Zoom links, and members of the media can contact the press secretary to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker or the corporate communications division of Parliament if they wish to hold interactive sessions with MPs.
Meanwhile, he said all important photos during the conference will be taken by officially appointed photographers from Parliament and the Information Department.
“I hope this new media management approach can help reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection, especially among media practitioners,” he said. – Bernama, July 24, 2021
