Two MPs Covid-19 positive, several quarantined

 

PARLIAMENT | Several MPs were unable to attend the Dewan Rakyat sitting today because they are under quarantine.

According to Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun, two MPs were positive for Covid-19 and "five or six" were quarantined because of close contact with Covid-19 patients.

Based on footages of Dewan Rakyat proceedings and eyewitness accounts, those not in their seats during the start of proceedings today were:

1. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (BN-Bagan Datuk)
2. Zuraida Kamaruddin (PN-Ampang)
3. Muslimin Yahaya (PN-Sungai Besar)
4. Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali (PN-Kuala Nerus)
5. Reezal Merican Naina Merican (BN-Kepala Batas)
6. Mansor Othman (PN-Nibong Tebal)
7. Mukhriz Mahathir (Pejuang-Jerlun)
8. Chow Kon Yeow (Harapan-Tanjong)

This is not an exhaustive list. Reporters are not allowed in the public gallery due to Covid-19 protocols.

Furthermore, the seats are obscured through glass sheets and faces are obscured by masks.

All MPs and Parliament officials were subjected to Covid-19 tests last week.

According to Azhar, as of last Friday, 12 Parliament staff were Covid-19 positive and 58 more were quarantined because they were close contacts.

In view of this, Azhar asked party whips to rotate the MPs every hour.

However, it is uncertain if the party whips had agreed to this.

The Dewan Rakyat is conducting a special sitting today for five days of briefings by cabinet ministers. - Mkini