KUALA LUMPUR – Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Bachok MP Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz and Nibong Tebal MP Datuk Mansor Othman have tested positive for Covid-19, just days before the upcoming special parliamentary sitting on July 26.
Zahid and Nik Abduh’s positive results were reported by Utusan Malaysia, while Mansor’s was reported by Malaysiakini.
The Malay daily also quoted a source stating that Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon is probably a close contact, after one of his aides tested positive.
However, Rashid’s strategic communications officer, Muhammad Afiq Hanif, confirmed that his boss tested negative, adding that the latter is not a close contact of any MP who tested positive.
Malaysiakini had speculated that Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa was also infected, but later removed his name from the report.
These reports follow Astro Awani’s earlier one that four MPs have been identified as close contacts.
It is understood that these close contacts may possibly include Gombak MP Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Ampang MP Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin and Bandar Tun Razak MP Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar.
However, The Vibes has yet to receive official confirmation whether these three parliamentarians are indeed close contacts.
Additionally, reports have stated that in total, 35 parliament staffers have been quarantined.
On Monday, Parliament is expected to open its doors for a special sitting, which will see briefings by five cabinet members.
Unlike other sittings, this one will not feature any legislative motion or debate.
However, MPs can question cabinet members providing the briefings and put forth their own recommendations.
Parliament will sit from July 26 to 29, and on August 2.
Meanwhile, Dewan Negara will sit for three days from August 3 to 5. – The Vibes, July 24, 2021
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