Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng said he is worried that Putrajaya's plan for a "hybrid" Parliament may handicap the role of lawmakers.
This is as the emergency is set to expire in August, which will also see the suspension of Parliament lifted.
Lim (above) pointed out that all MPs have been vaccinated against Covid-19 and if there was concern about the 380 staff parliamentary staff members, they too can be vaccinated.
"The refusal to do so demonstrates the lack of political will or the real intention of not allowing Parliamentary sessions to prevent any overt signal that the PN government has lost its parliamentary majority to govern," he said in a statement.
On Friday, de facto Law Minister Takiyuddin Hassan said it had agreed "in principle" to study the possibility of a "hybrid" Parliament sitting.
The DAP lawmaker urged the government to involve the opposition in the plan.
"Takiyuddin should be reminded that Parliament belongs to all MPs not just those from the government. Opposition MPs must be allowed to give their inputs and contribute their views," he said.
Lim said failure to do so would turn the "hybrid" Parliament sitting into a rubber stamp even before it convenes.
"Of course, MPs may have no choice but be compelled to accept a hybrid Parliament session, which is better than having no Parliament session at all.
"The greatest concern is that MPs attending virtually are denied their right to play their constitutional role fully," he said.
Lim said the Perikatan Nasional government should not dilute or derogate the powers of Parliament to function fully.
"A normal physical meeting as compared to a hybrid Parliament will enable Parliament to seek answers as well as mobilise a whole-of-society effort to battle and overcome Covid-19 through a swift and smooth national immunisation programme," he said.
Meanwhile, the Pahang opposition lauded the state's plan to convene the state assembly sitting as soon as the emergency expires in August.
The state assembly sitting is set to convene on Aug 16 to 20 if the emergency is not extended.
"If the Pahang government can show the determination and wisdom to restart the state assembly, there is no reason why Parliament, as the country's main legislative body, should not be allowed to play its role," a group of Pahang opposition state assemblypersons said in a statement.
The statement was signed by Pahang opposition leader Lee Chin Chen, Triang assemblyperson Leong Yu Man, Tras assemblyperson Chow Yu Hui, Sabai assemblyperson Kamache Doray Rajoo, Ketari assemblyperson Young Syefura Othman, Mentakab assemblyperson Woo Chee Wan and Tanah Rata assemblyperson Chiong Yoke Kong.
They said Parliament was needed more than ever as the people are struggling with the Covid-19 pandemic. - Mkini
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