Reported Covid-19 cases in Parliament from a month ago - source

Reported positive cases of Covid-19 among parliamentary staff were detected one month ago, according to a source familiar with the matter.

At present, the source said, the majority of the Parliament staff have been vaccinated ahead of the scheduled July 26 reopening of the House, after being suspended since Jan 11, under the emergency proclamation.

"So far, we are 80 percent vaccinated. The cases happened one month ago," said the source, in reference to a report by Malay daily Utusan Malaysia.

Utusan earlier reported that positive cases were detected among the Parliament's security guards, with more than 10 people showing Covid-19 symptoms, raising concerns ahead of the forthcoming Dewan Rakyat sitting.

The report quoted an anonymous Parliament staff who confirmed that the sitting is scheduled to proceed on July 26.

"But I don't know how the situation will be if it continues in the situation where there are Covid-19 cases in Parliament.

"Because the virus can be transmitted airborne," said the source as quoted by Utusan.

Meanwhile, local Malay daily Berita Harian quoted Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Rashid Hasnon as saying that the cases would not hinder the scheduled session.

"This situation would not affect the special parliamentary session; besides, the situation here is all under control and being managed by the district health office.

"They (positive cases and close contacts) are now undergoing self-quarantine at their own home," he told the daily.

Responding to the report, PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil said the cases should not be used as an excuse to delay the sitting of Parliament.

"Even within the ministries, from time to time, there will be positive cases detected.

"The ministry staff who tested positive will be treated, their close contacts placed in quarantine and the ministries will function as usual," said the Lembah Pantai MP.

"The same principle should be applied to Parliament.

"There are many things to be considered, debated and decided. This is not an excuse to postpone the sitting," Fahmi added.

Parliament has been suspended since Jan 11 after a state of emergency was declared, purportedly to fight the Covid-19 pandemic - which has since worsened.

Critics have accused the government of using the emergency to fend off challenges amid Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's uncertain majority.

After repeated nudging by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the government finally decided to call a special sitting of Parliament on July 26.

However, opposition MPs have expressed concern that the sitting would turn into a government "briefing session" as the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) statement on the reconvening of Parliament made no mention of a debate.

Instead, the PMO said, the sitting would be to brief MPs on the National Recovery Plan and to approve amendments to allow for a future hybrid Parliament sitting. - Mkini