MPs sit apart in new normal

Social distancing rules see one seat left empty between them

PETALING JAYA: A total of 114 MPs from the government bloc, 107 from the Opposition and one Independent observed the new normal during the historical one-day sitting of the first meeting, third term of the 14th Parliament.

With the social distancing rule in place in the august house, MPs were not seated right next to each other as usual.

Instead, one seat was left empty between them.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Pagoh MP, was the first to be seated in the government bloc as the government leader.

Although there is no deputy prime minister’s post, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, who is also the International Trade and Industry Minister, sat next to the Prime Minister.

This was followed by Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is the

Defence Minister, as well as Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and Education Minister Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin, who are all Senior Ministers.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri hishammuddin hussein, who is Sembrong MP, sat next to Dr Mohd Radzi, while MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, who is Ayer hitam MP, sat at the third row of Block B.

According to the latest Dewan Rakyat seating plan, the Opposition bench will comprise 107 MPs – Upko (one), Bersatu (five), Warisan (nine), Amanah (11), PKR (39) and DAP (42).

Those sitting at the front bench of the Opposition bloc were Port Dickson MP Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who has been nominated by Pakatan harapan as the Opposition leader.

Next to him is former defence minister Mohamad Sabu, followed by former finance minister Lim Guan Eng and former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Next to her was Iskandar Puteri MP and DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang.

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who sat at the Opposition bloc for the first time in his political career, was seated furthest from the Speaker.

he was positioned in Seat 4, Block D behind the sergeant-at-arms.

his Opposition “neighbours” were Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Semporna) and Datuk Liew Vui Keong (Warisan-Batu Sapi).

The seating plan also confirmed that five Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia lawmakers of Langkawi, Jerlun, Kubang Pasu, Simpang Renggam and Muar were seated on the Opposition bench at Block D.

Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, who is Jerlun MP, was seated a few rows behind his father, while former youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman was behind Mukhriz.

Umno president and Bagan Datoh MP Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid hamidi was seated next to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak as well as with PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul hadi Awang (Marang) at the the observers’ gallery along with other government backbenchers.

The sole independent MP Baru Bian, who is Selangau MP, was in row D as well.

Due to social distancing, some of the lawmakers could even be seen occupying the seating at the public gallery, which is on the top floor and has a view of the Dewan Rakyat.

The lawmakers could also be seen wearing protective face masks.