KUALA LUMPUR – MPs from both sides of the divide have expressed unease over the prospect of seeing just a “briefing session” when the Dewan Rakyat convenes for five days from July 26, following a six-month suspension.
Several lawmakers took to Twitter to voice their concerns that there will be no space given for debates and questions, and that instead, the sitting will merely see briefings on the National Recovery Plan and amendments to the relevant legislation and regulations to allow Parliament to meet in a hybrid manner.
Pontian MP Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan used the Malay proverb “seperti melepaskan batuk di tangga”, implying that the government is reconvening Parliament half-heartedly and inadequately, giving only lip service to holding a sitting before the emergency declared over Covid-19 ends on August 1.
“That’s the saying when you reconvene Parliament with no earnestness.
“The MPs will be like ‘rubber stamps’, and no longer legislators and policymakers offering ideas and suggestions for the benefit of the people and country.
“Very upsetting.”
“Seperti melepaskan batuk di tangga” - itulah pepatah bila buka #Parlimen dgn tidak bersungguh, ala kadar sahaja
— Ahmad b Maslan (@ahmadmaslan) July 5, 2021
Maka #AhliParlimen akan jadi spt “rubber stamp”, bukan lagi penggubal undang2, pembuat dasar, pemberi idea & cadangan bagi manfaat #rakyat & negara
Mendukacitakan.. pic.twitter.com/jFqO0HXcA7
His sentiment was shared by Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who questioned the purpose of reconvening the House if debates and voting are not allowed.
“MPs will be present only to listen to government lectures. I want to bring up issues affecting the people, like double standards (in the enforcement of) SOPs, university fees, an interest-free moratorium, and cash handouts for the people and small traders who are suffering while the factories are doing okay.
“Please la.”
Saya setuju dengan YB.
— Syed Saddiq (@SyedSaddiq) July 5, 2021
Buat apa buka parlimen jika tiada perbahasan & undian.
Hadir sekadar dengar ceramah kerajaan.
Saya nak bawa isu rakyat.
SOP dua darjat.
Yuran Univerisiti.
Moratorium tanpa faedah.
Cash handout bagi rakyat.
Peniaga kecil mati, tapi Kilang ok.
Please la! https://t.co/oB2SkGTYrF
Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii said lawmakers should be allowed to debate and keep the government in check with regard to the country’s Covid-19 situation.
“If we are not allowed to debate, scrutinise and keep the government in check for the most pertinent matter right now, which is Covid-19, this session is merely cosmetic, and superficial. It has to be more than a mere ‘briefing’.”
The DAP man said bringing to Parliament the voices of the rakyat who are struggling is a must to compel Putrajaya to respond.
“Allow us to debate policies and give suggestions. If not, it only defeats the purpose.”
They have released a statement to state that Parliament will sit for 5 days on the 26th July to 2nd August 2021.
— Kelvin yii (@Kelvinyii88) July 5, 2021
However based on the statement, the government will only give us a "briefing" on National Recovery Plan and make amendments to standing orders to allow a hybrid.
5-day sitting not enough
Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin tweeted that five days are not enough to debate issues relating to the health and economic crises.
“This Parliament sitting is like wartime Parliament. We are in (a) war and almost defeated by the enemy (Covid-19).
“Five days are not enough to discuss (and) debate how to handle (a) grave crisis.”
He said MPs are demanding a longer period to discuss ways to handle the situation.
“Don’t let parliament democracy die in the ICU, please!”
This Parliament sitting is like war time Parliament. We are in war and almost defeated by the enemy (virus).
— SimTzeTzin 沈志勤 ?? (@simtzetzin) July 5, 2021
5 days of sitting is not enough to discuss debate how to handle grave crisis. We demand more days to discussion of how to handle the pandemic and Economic crisis pic.twitter.com/G3wlf2JS79
There has been much apprehension over the matter ahead of the release of the sitting’s agenda.
The Prime Minister’s Office yesterday announced that the Dewan Rakyat will hold a special five-day meeting starting July 26, while the Dewan Negara will sit early next month.
It said the government has agreed to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on a Dewan Rakyat sitting from July 26 to 29, and on August 2.
The Dewan Negara, meanwhile, will sit for three days from August 3 to 5.
Parliament has been suspended since the emergency was declared on January 12. – The Vibes, July 6, 2021
