I REFER to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s televised announcement on the emergency this morning, which stated that there will be no state assembly and Parliament meetings until a suitable date.
The battle to contain and to reduce the Covid-19 spread now appears to be a long protracted war. As the government and especially health experts repeatedly remind us – everyone has a part to play.
For legislators, whether in state assemblies or Parliament, their principal role is in their respective legislatures. They play a critical role to scrutinise government decisions and protect their constituents’ interests.
There is no reason to stop all state assemblies and the Parliament from convening to discuss and to make decisions in the interest of the people. Legislators are there to make sure resources are transparently and properly deployed to fight the pandemic.
Removing these check-and-balance safeguards would mean today, the rule of tyranny has prevailed.
Democracy in the form of active functioning legislatures is the best way to collectively combat the Covid-19 pandemic. I urge the prime minister to reconsider today’s announcement and allow all state assemblies and the Parliament to convene, with enhanced SOPs if necessary, but meet they must as scheduled. – The Vibes, January 12, 2021
Elizabeth Wong is the Selangor Assembly's Backbenchers Council chair
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