KUALA LUMPUR – The Dewan Rakyat has agreed to adjourn early today, at 1pm, in a bid to mitigate the risk of Covid-19 infection after Parliament staff contracted the virus.
The unprecedented motion was tabled by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law) Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan, who said the risk increases the longer the session takes place.
“The (party) whips have been informed of the matter. There will be no sitting in the evening today.
“The Health Ministry said being in enclosed spaces further increases the risk of infection.”
Responding to the motion, Teo Nie Ching (DAP-Kulai) asked for the overall duration of the current sitting to be proportionately increased so that MPs have more time to debate.
Earlier, M. Kula Segaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) mooted a virtual session as a workaround.
“With a virtual parliamentary sitting, this problem can be solved. Many countries have done it. Why can’t Malaysia do it?
“If we need to amend the Standing Orders to do so, we can do it immediately. Why don’t we give priority to that?” – The Vibes, November 2, 2020
