Committee studying hybrid parliament sittings - Rais Yatim

 

A special committee is looking into implementing hybrid Parliament sittings, taking into account legislative bodies in countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia, said Dewan Negara President Rais Yatim.

He said the committee is analysing how to adapt certain aspects to avoid violating the standard operating procedures to curb the spread of Covid-19.

“This is because the concept and procedure involve various implications, not only from the legal aspects such as the standing orders of both Houses of Parliament but also new stipulations on the behaviour and conduct of Members of Parliament (MPs), besides matters of infrastructure and legislative tools,” he said in a statement today.

According to Rais, the committee's members include the Dewan Negara President, Dewan Rakyat Speaker, a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Dewan Negara Deputy President, both Deputy Speakers of the Dewan Rakyat, and Parliament's chief administrator. 

They will conduct a follow-up meeting tomorrow, he said, adding that the committee has taken into account the impact of the pandemic in the country and the need for the people’s voice in Parliament, in line with a constitutional monarchy government.

“The special committee is also considering the implications of the enforcement of the emergency, which faces financial challenges, and the burden of Parliament administrators’ duties, as well as the capability to update existing infrastructure involving communications of 222 Dewan Rakyat constituencies and 70 Senators nationwide.

“As such, the implementation of this legislative project is a noble and constructive effort because in any situation, Parliament, as the main institution of a democratic government, must be functioning,” he said.

Rais said this effort proved that the legislative and executive branches are objective on the current needs and demands, especially in gathering honest, sincere, and constructive opinions from all MPs and senators in a bid to overcome the Covid-19 threat, which has recorded 616,815 cases and claimed 3,378 lives in the country so far.

“In achieving this noble objective, the executive and legislative powers must work as one so that the result will meet the requirements of the Federal Constitution, Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952, Standing Orders of both Houses and related subsidiary regulations,” he added.

On June 4, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Takiyuddin Hassan said the government agreed in principle for Parliament sittings to be held in a hybrid manner, with representatives present both physically and virtually.

- Bernama