Decision on number of MPs allowed to attend Parliament sitting next week

JOHOR BAHRU: The decision on whether to limit the attendance of members of Parliament (MPs) at the upcoming Dewan Negara sitting to 80 will be finalised next week before it recovenes on July 26.

Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon said discussions on the matter would be held with chief whips of political parties.

“Each minister and their deputy must also limit their staff to two or three in the building and they will be subject to strict compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs), including undergoing a Covid-19 screening test,” he said.

He was speaking to the media after visiting the Prihatin Johor Mobile Vaccination Tour programme at Dewan Serbaguna Sri Stulang here on Sunday.

In the previous Dewan Rakyat sitting, only 80 MPs – 41 from the government and 39 opposition and independent lawmakers – were allowed to attend the sitting at any one time.

However, all MPs are allowed to enter the hall to vote.

A special sitting of Dewan Rakyat will be held for five days from July 26.

Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in a statement said the special sitting is to explain to all MPs about the National Recovery Plan and to amend all legislation and rules to enable Parliament sitting to be held in a hybrid manner.

The PMO also said that in accordance with Clause 3 of Article 150 of the Federal Constitution, the Proclamation of Emergency and emergency ordinances promulgated by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall be laid before both Houses of Parliament.