Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has questioned the government for linking a vaccination milestone to the resumption of parliamentary proceedings.
He said it makes no sense to reopen the Parliament only in the third phase of Malaysia’s national recovery plan, which Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced today.
“I’m not sure what does 40 percent of the country’s population receiving two doses of Covid-19 vaccines have to do with allowing Parliament to resume proceedings, which is expected in September or October 2021.
“Whereas MPs have been immunised against Covid-19 long ago, meaning Parliament should be safe to reopen.
“Moreover, as suggested many times, Parliament can been held virtually like in other countries even if its doors remain closed,” he said in a statement today.
Earlier, in outlining Malaysia’s Covid-19 exit plan, Muhyiddin assured that Parliament will reopen once the country enters Phase Three of the plan.
There are three conditions for transitioning into Phase Three, namely: An average of 2,000 Covid-19 cases per day or less, having sufficient intensive care beds in public hospitals, and reaching a 40 percent vaccination rate.
Parliamentary proceedings had been suspended since the proclamation of emergency that came into force on Jan 11.
Apart from the Parliament, most business sectors are allowed to reopen apart from those deemed to have a high risk of Covid-19 transmission. Social sectors such as education and sports will also be allowed to resume.
As examples, Muhyiddin said businesses that won’t be allowed to operate during Phase Three are pubs, spas, and beauty salons.
To this, Zahid questioned, “Does this mean Parliament as a symbol of the nation’s democracy is placed on the negative list alongside pubs, spas, and beauty salons?
“So who is trying to sow anxiety and confusion among the people regarding the principle of parliamentary democracy?”
He urged for Parliament to be reconvened immediately. - Mkini
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