Dewan Rakyat sittings cannot be done virtually, says Ismail Sabri

KUALA LUMPUR – The Constitution and parliamentary standing orders, as well as various other constraints, do not allow for Dewan Rakyat sessions to be held virtually, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Yaakob said today. 

Despite suggestions to hold it virtually, he said the sessions must be conducted as usual, but with very strict standard operating procedures in place. 

“Based on Article 62 (5), in terms of voting, the process must be done in Parliament and not out of it…  including for the budget and the bills... it has to be done in Parliament,” he said at today's press conference on the recovery movement control order (RMCO) today.

Ismail Sabri cited the Australian Parliament's virtual sessions, in which members of that parliament cannot vote or interject during debates. 

“Having too many constraints would be difficult, so we will continue the parliament sessions normally but with very strict SOPs," he said. 

As a precaution, all MPs are also required to take a Covid-19 swab test three days before the session begins.

“MPs from Sabah must first complete their quarantine, only then they are allowed to enter Parliament. Also, all MPs are allowed to bring along only two officers, both of whom must also take a swab test," he added. 

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said the National Security Council would present its suggestions to improve the SOP in areas placed under the conditional movement control order following the increase in Covid-19 cases, especially in Selangor.

“We have received many suggestions, some want us to tighten it and some suggest that we be more proactive in the yellow zones.

“However, the suggestions will be discussed in detail so that whatever action taken will not adversely affect the economic sector and people’s lives, and at the same time to continue with the Covid-19 preventive measures,” he added.

On the Deepavali celebration, Ismail Sabri said the SOP for the festival would be announced soon after the Health Ministry completed its their evaluation of the draft tabled by National Unity Minister, Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique last Friday. – Bernama, November 2, 2020