'Mockery if jogging allowed but Parliament cannot sit for more than a day'

The National Human Rights Society (Hakam) said Parliament should now be allowed to sit for more than a day in light of the government's decision to reopen the economy and allow some recreational activities as the Covid-19 situation improves.

Hakam secretary-general Lim Wei Jiet noted that beginning May 4, businesses begin operating at full capacity while recreational activities such as jogging and golfing will also be allowed, but with social distancing.

"It would be a complete mockery to the august house of Parliament and constitutional democracy in Malaysia if Parliament is deemed less essential than these activities.

"There is no excuse now for the government to restrict parliamentary sittings to one-day with no further dates in sight," he said in a statement.

Lim stressed that the law-making function of Parliament is essential to prepare Malaysia for the economic impact from the Covid-19 pandemic.

"The Human Resources Minister (M Saravanan) himself today announced that labour laws must be revised to suit Covid-19’s ‘new normal’ – how else does one do that without convening Parliament for more than one day?" he said.

He added that governments such as in the UK, Australia and Singapore have not restricted their Parliament sitting period.

"Arrangements such as virtual Parliament hearings through teleconferencing, social distancing and wearing of masks can be arranged.

"And these countries have indeed passed much-needed laws amidst the pandemic to help people in need and support the economy.

"Hakam calls for the government to put politics aside in these difficult times. Politics must not be a barrier to urgently needed people-centric legislation," he said.

De Facto Law Minister Takiyuddin Hassan had said the short sitting on May 18 is due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, the opposition had accused the government of trying to block any parliamentary manoeuvre that could threaten the Perikatan Nasional government.

The PN government was installed in March but its parliamentary majority is still unclear and untested.

The new government was formed after Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin pulled his party out of Pakatan Harapan, along with a group of PKR defectors.

This led to the collapse of the Harapan government.

Bersatu and the PKR defectors then joined forces with Umno, PAS, GPS and other minor parties to form the PN government. - Mkini