[UPDATED] Dewan adjourned to next Monday as ministers leave embattled PM’s home

KUALA LUMPUR – Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon has yet again delayed parliamentary proceedings, this time to 5.15pm, following the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s statement this morning expressing displeasure over the law minister’s announcement on the revocation of emergency ordinances.

Rashid earlier today suspended and adjourned the meeting from 12.30pm to 12.45pm, followed by 12.45pm to 1pm, and 2.30pm to 3.30pm.

The latest adjournment is from 3.30pm to 5.15pm.

Rashid said two new Covid-19 cases were detected in Parliament.

“I’ve just received a letter from the health director-general, stating that the Health Ministry unfortunately detected two fresh Covid-19 cases on July 29, at 12.30pm, in Parliament.

“The first case involves an employee who has been here since Monday, July 26. The individual was here until Wednesday, July 28. He has a high viral load and infectivity. The second case was detected today, during self-screening.

“A risk assessment found that these two individuals have been on the Parliament premises.”

He told lawmakers that no one is allowed to leave the Parliament grounds until they have been screened at Door 3 and their results confirmed.

Priority will be given to MPs, he said.

“This meeting is adjourned until 5.15pm.”

Langsung dari parlimen:

Dan dan lah ada outbreak di parlimen. Sekarang ni kami semua kena buat test covid....

Ni dok rapat-rapat ni nanti muncul pula kluster parlimen.....?

Sop ni mana oi...polis ada tak.... pic.twitter.com/9Uf2v85630

— LIM LIP ENG (@limlipeng) July 29, 2021

Immediately, the opposition started to laugh, with some MPs sarcastically telling Rashid to stay put.

“Don’t run!” said Pang Hok Liong (Labis-PH).

Other opposition parliamentarians were seen standing trying to say their piece before the deputy speaker exited the chamber.

Members of the media have flocked to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s private residence in Bukit Damansara here since 1pm after the Istana Negara statement.

Several vehicles believed to be carrying cabinet members and Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun were spotted entering via the residence’s main gate about 1.30pm, reported Bernama.

The palace statement said Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah is deeply disappointed with the remarks made by Law Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday that the government has revoked all emergency ordinances effective July 21 without the matter first receiving His Majesty’s consent.

It said the king is also disappointed that his decree to Takiyuddin and Idrus for the proposed revocation to be tabled and debated in Parliament was not executed.

Lawmakers earlier protested against the House’s adjournment till 3.30pm.

R.S.N. Rayer (Jelutong-PH), Cha Kee Chin (Rasah-PH) and Teo Nie Ching (Kulai-PH) were among those who voiced out before their microphones were turned off.

“Why is it being adjourned again? What’s the story? (The session) cannot be adjourned. Why are you running away, speaker?” asked Rayer.

Teo was heard saying “Just resign! What else is there to discuss?”, repeating calls led by opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Port Dickson-PH) before the lunch break for Muhyiddin and Takiyuddin to step down.

In the Istana Negara statement, the king told off Takiyuddin over his announcement on the emergency proclamation and its ordinances on day one of the special sitting, saying the minister’s remarks are “inaccurate” and “misled lawmakers in the Dewan Rakyat”.

Upon the Dewan Rakyat reconvening at 5.15pm, Rashid extended the adjournment once more, citing yet another two Covid-19 cases in Parliament.

“Based on the new screenings, there are two more cases in Parliament, making for a total of four new Covid-19 cases here.

“Any MPs who were here on Tuesday and Wednesday, but not here today, should head to the nearest clinic for screening.

“Therefore, following Standing Order 12(2), the session will be delayed until 5.30pm.”

The deputy speaker then ordered a further adjournment, to 10am next Monday. 

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa, and Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah were spotted leaving Muhyiddin’s home past 5pm.

At 6.16pm, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun were among those seen exiting. – The Vibes, July 29, 2021