Yii urges speaker to allow virtual meetings for all parliamentary committees

 

Chairperson for the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Science, and Innovation Dr Kelvin Yii has urged Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun to allow all parliamentary select committees to conduct their activities virtually.

In a letter sighted by Malaysiakini, Yii (above) asked the speaker to use his power under the parliamentary standing orders so the activities of committees can be done in hybrid, where physical attendance is not compulsory.

“[...] We ask [the speaker] to use his powers under Standing Orders 99 and 100 to issue guidance or instruction necessary to ensure or allow that the committees’ activities to be conducted in hybrid, and the secretariat to take necessary steps to ensure the committees’ activities can be done in hybrid,” Yii said.

The Bandar Kuching MP said this is to overcome the challenges faced by MPs and parliamentary staff especially those from Sabah and Sarawak, whose movements are restricted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“MPs from Sabah and Sarawak may need to be quarantined every time they attend the related meetings, and government staff may not be able to attend physical meetings as frequently as necessary,” Yii reasoned.

Taking the example of past incidents where committees’ hearings and working visits took place beyond the Parliament house, Yii argued that the hybrid model does not go against Standing Order 83 (5A) which stipulates that all committees’ meetings must take place within Parliament’s premise.

Yii added that if Azhar deems himself as powerless to issue guidance or instruction under the standing orders, then he should allow the tabling of a motion today without notice to temporarily suspend standing orders that are blocking the hybrid model.

“[...] So that the select committees’ members can conduct meetings and hearings virtually when deemed necessary by their respective select committees,” he said.

Yii also issued a joint statement alongside the Public Accounts Committee chairperson Wong Kah Woh, after sending the letter to Azhar today.

The duo stressed that a hybrid meeting would ensure the full attendance of the Parliamentary Select Committees members and staff.

“This is important to ensure that our committees continue to play a role in implementing a check and balance mechanism to ensure transparent, integrity and accountable governance, especially when addressing public and community policy issues as well as financial and national expenditure matters,” they said. - Mkini