PARLIAMENT | An opposition lawmaker has suggested turning the now-defunct smoking room at Parliament into a reflexology centre staffed by people with disabilities.
Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (BN-Baling) said this was for the sake of parliamentarians' health.
"Now that we cannot smoke in the smoking room anymore, why not we convert that place?
"Since we have so many people with disabilities, specifically the blind without jobs, let's bring them here and turn (the smoking room) into a reflexology massage centre to massage the feet?
"We can bring in both men and women with disabilities so that in the afternoon or when the bell rings, we can go (for a foot massage), seeing as there are so many people here.
"What is wrong with the minister looking into this to see if this can be done for the next parliament session?" Azeez (above) told the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was speaking during Minister in the Prime Minister's Department VK Liew's winding-up speech at the committee stage for the Budget 2019 debate.
Liew said there is currently a project to build a new block where there will be many health facilities for lawmakers.
"So we do not necessarily need to massage our bodies for health," he said.
Abdul Azeez corrected him, saying he was referring to foot massages, not body massages.
Liew (below) responded that foot massages are not enough to take care of one's health.
"We need to ensure we exercise […] using sports equipment," he said.
Several lawmakers could be seen smiling and laughing during this exchange in the House.
Two PAS lawmakers then defended Abdul Azeez's suggestion with Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PAS-Rantau Panjang) asking what is the harm in placing a few electric massage chairs in Parliament.
"What is wrong with placing one or two massage chairs so that parliamentarians can relieve their tiredness," she asked.
Awang Hashim (PAS-Pendang) said Azeez's suggestion would help provide income to people with disabilities.
"At least we are helping those with disabilities. We are helping people with disabilities by giving them some income, that is all," he said.
On Oct 15, the Health Ministry had decided to ban smoking inside the Parliament building including at the previously designated smoking room next to the Dewan Rakyat. - Mkini
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