KUALA LUMPUR – Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin came under fire today over the police blockade on August 2, when opposition MPs were barred from entering the Parliament compound and were issued with fines after they gathered at Dataran Merdeka here.
The drama began when Jelutong MP R.S.N. Rayer raised the matter with Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun, saying the police had breached the Penal Code in interfering with the lawmakers from conducting their duty and stopping them from entering their parliamentary offices.
Azhar answered that, when he found out the MPs were not allowed into the premises, he had immediately instructed lower House secretary Nizam Mydin Bacha Mydin that night itself to allow the legislators entry as long as it was at a “reasonable time”.
Opposition chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, along with Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham and Padang Serai MP Karuppaiya Muthusamy, also pressed the home minister for an answer today.
In reply, Hamzah said the reason behind the police action stemmed from the fact that the authorities were informed there were about 100 Covid-19 cases in Parliament.
“We wanted to ensure the safety of our fellow MPs,” said Hamzah before he was interrupted for not wearing his mask.
“Minister! Face mask! You need to observe the SOP! We want to make sure you’re safe, too!” quipped a member of the opposition bloc.
Continuing with his explanation, Hamzah said that the compounds were issued to the MPs because they had gathered in Dataran Merdeka when they were not allowed entry.
“We had to issue the compound because there can’t be double standards between MPs and the public. Members of the public would be compounded, too. Gathering is an offence.
“But I have discussed this with the health minister and we have agreed to reduce the compound from RM3,000 to the same level as the public.”
However, he received immediate rebuttal from the opposition bloc, with a few MPs questioning why the same penalty was not accorded to ousted prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who had received visitors at his private residence in Bukit Damansara.
“When it comes to saving your own skin, there’s no problem is there?” one of the opposition lawmakers was heard saying.
Hamzah also skirted a question on whether police breached the Penal Code in interfering with the duties of an MP, instead harping on the fact that the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) held sway during the incident.
He also denied issuing any instructions to police to block MPs from entering Parliament, when asked by Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, who also prodded the minister on whether or not he had abused his power on that day.
“It is clear that Act 342 is critical to protect public health.
“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I did not issue any instructions, but under the Act, when something has already been announced by the Health Ministry, the police conducted enforcement, as enshrined in the constitution,” said Hamzah.
Ipoh Timor MP Wong Kah Woh, who also chairs the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), told Azhar that on August 2, he received permission to enter Parliament for a PAC meeting.
The DAP lawmaker said the police ignored his letter and threatened him with arrest if he did not remove himself from the blockade.
Azhar replied that he allowed the meeting to take place but was not aware of the police decision to bar all MPs from entering Parliament.
Hamzah then admitted that there was a mistake regarding the PAC meeting.
“There was a mistake regarding the PAC meeting. So, when the police received instructions barring anyone from entering the premises, they followed Act 342 and enforced it,” said Hamzah before losing his temper as the opposition kept up the pressure.
“Minister, don’t get angry,” said one opposition member.
As a result of the incident, Azhar and Hamzah said the office of the inspector-general of police will receive instructions to never bar federal lawmakers from entering Parliament again. – The Vibes, September 14, 2021
