Parliament cut short for today after Senate staffers contract Covid-19

 

COVID-19 | The Dewan Rakyat session for today has been cut short to 1pm to limit exposure to Covid-19 after "several" Dewan Negara staff members tested positive for the virus.

De facto Law Minister Takiyuddin Hassan (photo, above) informed the House of the news as he tabled an emergency motion to shorten the session.

He did not specify how many staff members had been infected but said there was a possibility that several senators had been exposed to the virus as well.

"Several Dewan Negara staff members have been confirmed with Covid-19 and it is expected that there are senators who might be positive because (one of) the staff members was attached to a senator and they are related...

"We have been advised by the Health Ministry that the risk is very high, that was the term used. We are located in an enclosed space and although we have glass (dividers between MPs), we don't know how well they are able to prevent the spread of the virus.

"The ministry says the longer we are in an environment like this, the higher the risk," he explained. 

Senator Ras Adiba Radzi (above) has since confirmed that her aide and younger sister Ras Afiona Radzi tested positive for the virus.

The lawmaker and 10 of her family members have been tested and are awaiting results.

Daily motion needed 

The motion was passed after a heated exchange between Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun and two Pakatan Harapan lawmakers - M Karupaiya (PH-Padang Serai) and Hanipa Maidin (PH-Sepang).

Azhar chastised Karupaiya after the latter interrupted Takiyuddin to suggest a “change in government” to resolve the present predicament.

“Why do you say that? What does that have to do (with this)?” the speaker retorted.

Hanipa then arose to advise Azhar from “answering on behalf of the minister”.

“Who is answering (on behalf of the minister)? I am explaining because I am presiding over the House,” Azhar responded.

Other Harapan lawmakers also arose to seek more clarification over how long the shortened sessions will last, if a virtual parliament session could be held and if the House could sit for additional days to make up for the lost time. 

Immediately after the motion was passed, Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan) stood up to ask for time for party chiefs to consult party whips over the proposal.

Earlier this morning, all party whips and several ministers had a closed-door session with Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun about Covid-19 precautions in light of the positive cases.

The meeting involved Umno’s Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (BN-Bagan Datuk), Ismail Sabri Yaakob (BN-Bera), Shahidan Kassim (BN-Arau); Takiyuddin (PAS-Kota Bahru) and Nik Muhammad Zawawi (PAS-Pasir Puteh); Perikatan Nasional’s Azmin Ali (Bersatu-Gombak), GPS’ Fadillah Yusof (PBB-Petra Jaya), PKR’s Johari Abdul (Sungai Petani), DAP’s Anthony Loke (Seremban), Amanah’s Hasanuddin Yunus (Hulu Langat) and Warisan’s Rosman Isli (Labuan).

In response, Takiyuddin assured that the motion only affected today's session.

He said a new motion would be needed for each day the session needs to be shortened.

"Maybe (the shortened sessions) will apply for this week only. The sessions after the budget (2021 is tabled) will be discussed with the respective party chiefs," he added.

Meanwhile, Azhar said the Health Ministry is determining how many days the shortened Dewan Rakyat sittings (10am to 1pm) would be necessary. - Mkini