No choice but to fine MPs for Aug 2 gathering to avoid 'double standards'

 

PARLIAMENT | Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin said the government had no choice but to compound the opposition MPs who had attempted to march to Parliament on Aug 2 as there cannot be “double standards”.

However, he said the government has since agreed to lower the compound from RM3,000 to RM1,000, which is the usual fine for SOP violation.

“At the time, there was SOP that stated we cannot have gatherings anywhere, but based on the spirit of cooperation between the government and the opposition and after discussion with Health Minister (Khairy Jamaluddin), we have agreed for us to lower the compound to the same amount paid by the rakyat.

“We still have to have the compound because there cannot be double standards between the MPs and other rakyats who also had similar gatherings, so we were forced to (compound the MPs). I apologise,” Hamzah said in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to the Aug 2 incident where several opposition MPs had attempted to enter Parliament grounds but were stopped by police blockades.

The government at the time had postponed the parliamentary sitting that day, citing concerns over the spread of Covid-19 in Parliament.

Hamzah said at that time, there were almost 200 individuals who tested positive for Covid-19 who had been in Parliament, and as such, everyone, including all MPs were not allowed to enter the buildings.

This issue was first raised by RSN Rayer (Harapan-Jelutong) in the Dewan Rakyat today and he had questioned who issued the order to the police to stop the MPs from entering Parliament grounds.

Hamzah later said the question does not arise because the police were acting within their jurisdiction under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342), whereby they are empowered to enforce the regulations set by the Health Ministry.

Rayer also urged Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun to ensure such an incident will not happen again.

He said it is an offence under Section 124 of the Penal Code to refrain an MP from exercising their duties.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim (Harapan-Port Dickson) also pointed out that on that day, he was on his way to the office reserved for the opposition leader in Parliament.

“Since when is the opposition leader banned from entering the opposition leader’s office?” he asked.

In response, Azhar said he had ordered for all Parliament entrances to be opened on Aug 2, including the door to the august House itself.

Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun

“Actually, Parliament was not closed (on Aug 2). That day, I have ordered all the entrances to be opened, including the door to this House because I know many of the MPs left their things behind.

“The offices were open and should be given access (to the MPs) at all reasonable times. That is my stand.

“When it comes to how the roads were closed, that is the police’s action but as to why they did it, I have no knowledge about that,” Azhar said.

He also addressed the issue raised by Wong Kah Woh (Harapan-Ipoh Timur), who said he was threatened with arrest when he attempted to enter Parliament on Aug 2 as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson to attend a scheduled meeting that day.

“I gave specific instructions to allow PAC members to enter Parliament that day. I am willing to meet with the police to verify my orders,” Azhar said. - Mkini