Pakatan Harapan has lashed out at Law Minister Takiyuddin Hassan for suggesting that Parliament cannot convene now because 100 MPs are age 60 or older.
In a statement today, the Harapan secretariat said facts showed that not a single MP contracted Covid-19 when the Dewan Rakyat convened for 55 days last year.
"There was no Covid-19 cluster due to Parliament... In fact, the facts show that the preventive measures taken in Parliament last year worked.
"Hence, Parliament can convene now," said the secretariat.
Takiyuddin had said that 100 MPs were in the "high-risk group" and should not be exposed to Covid-19 in a confined area.
He said each MP would normally have three aides, and government officials will also have to be present, thus causing too many people to be in the same building.
"That is our justification. There is no other reason," said Takiyuddin, who assured that Parliament can resume once the emergency ends, at latest by Aug 1.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong was of the position that Parliament can convene during the emergency but he would not call for a sitting unless advised to do so by the prime minister.
The suspension of Parliament has been stipulated in the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021 issued on Jan 14.
The Harapan secretariat said the reason given by Takiyuddin was "weak" and disrespectful of the Agong.
"Confusion over Covid-19 preventive rules, public anger over government double standards in enforcement, lack of government aid and many other issues are why Parliament must convene.
"Parliament needs to function as a check-and-balance on government finances. When Parliament is suspended, even the Public Accounts Committee cannot function," said the secretariat.
Below are the responses of other politicians on Twitter:
- Mkini
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