KUALA LUMPUR – A Perikatan Nasional (PN) backbencher portal has reported that a proposal has been made to allow only 80 MPs in the Dewan Rakyat sitting beginning November 9 to help curb the spread of Covid-19 in Parliament.
The PN BBC report said the daily sittings will be from 10am to 2pm, instead of from 10am to 5pm.
Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said told The Vibes that the speaker will issue a statement on this tomorrow.
“If the proposal is accepted, the quota allocated for the PN bloc will be 41 MPs while the rest will be represented by the opposition and independent MPs. The total number of MPs stands at 221 as the Batu Sapi seat is still empty.
“It is understood that the speaker’s office will issue special passes that will be distributed to MPs through the parties’ chief whips. MPs can register and leave for their respective offices in the Administrative Block while following strict standard operating procedures.
“MP movements outside of parliamentary premises must also be limited and they are asked to refrain from attending gatherings and crowded places. It is believed that the same method will be implemented during the Budget 2021 announcement this Friday,” said the report.
Also, it said the Budget debate will be extended by two days from November 9 to 19. Ministers’ winding-up will last for three days starting November 23. Committee level debates will begin from November 26 to the middle of December.
Oral question time has also been shortened to an hour, from 10am to 11am. Ministers will only give oral replies without supplementary questions. The same applies for ministers’ question time on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
PN BBC reported that the proposals and changes will be made known to federal lawmakers soon. – The Vibes, November 4, 2020
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