One-day Parliament sitting will disrupt checks and balances - DAP MP

Reducing the upcoming May 18 Parliament sitting to only one day will affect the role of lawmakers as a check and balance force in a democracy, a DAP leader said today.

DAP vice-chairperson M Kulasegaran (above) in a statement pointed out that legislatures - more so in times of a national crisis like the Covid-19 outbreak - are an essential line of defence against executive branch power abuse which includes potential abuse of state resources.

"It is pivotal to keep in mind that Parliament - as a pillar of a democratic system to balance power, pass laws and act and represent the will of the rakyat – is especially critical now to assuage public fears and ensure swift delivery of resources to communities in need especially those who are underserved or marginalised," said the Ipoh Barat MP.

Without the opportunity to convene and deliberate on critical issues including distribution of the RM250 billion economic stimulus package, Kulasegaran said MPs will not be empowered to update their constituents.

As such, Kulasegaran reiterated calls for the government to convene an urgent virtual Dewan Rakyat sitting as an alternative to the one-day sitting, similar to a practice adopted by countries including Albania, Colombia, Brazil, and the Maldives.

"I urge the Perikatan Nasional government to call for an emergency parliamentary sitting as soon as possible and before May 18 through a virtual sitting that will enable all MPs to air the concerns of their constituencies and convey decisive messages to the people they represent," he said.

Apart from a virtual sitting, Kulasegaran said lawmakers in France, Germany, Norway, and Croatia are proceeding with parliamentary sessions, but requiring limited numbers of MPs in the room to abide by social distancing recommendations.

"We are living in extraordinary times that will require us to think out of the box and implement innovative solutions.

"I for one, will work with the PN government to be part of the solution in overcoming the challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic to the rakyat," Kulasegaran further said.

According to a notice issued to MPs via email by Dewan Rakyat secretary Riduan Rahmat, the sitting would convene to discuss government Bills and business only.

"Therefore, there will be no oral question sessions, written questions, motions, and special chambers," Riduan had said in the notice. 

Kulasegaran noted there are various issues that must be addressed by Parliament, including the overall impact of the outbreak to Malaysians.

Among others, the former Human resources minister cited an increase in job losses of local and migrant workers; increase of complaints on the spike in prices of goods and services; and increase of concerns on whether there is an effective system in place in regards to food aid distribution.

"In the context of these emergencies, it is highly regrettable that the PN government has only allocated a day for parliamentary sitting and that too, scheduled only on May 18," he added.

DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang, who has been leading the call for a virtual Parliament sitting, earlier today said Malaysia should learn from grave mistakes made by the US and UK's governments in dealing with the outbreak.

At the same time, the Iskandar Puteri MP said Malaysia should look to the continued scrutiny on the UK's House of Commons as a best practice during a pandemic towards coming up with a Covid-19 exit plan.

The Dewan Rakyat was originally scheduled to sit for 15 days between May 18 and June 23 for its third session.

It had adjourned its previous session on Dec 5 last year and was supposed to reconvene on March 9. - Mkini