Proceedings temporarily disrupted after fire alert
THE Dewan Rakyat proceedings were temporarily disrupted after a fire evacuation warning came on the public address system.
Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid (BN-Padang Terap) was posing a supplementary question to Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Ahmad Amzad Mohamed Hashim when the announcement was heard on the PA system.
Mahdzir then jokingly quipped: “Soalan panas” (hot question).
Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun then asked the MPs to evacuate the Dewan Rakyat. They were followed by Parliament staff and media personnel, all of whom gathered near the Dewan Negara entrance.
However, a few minutes later, everyone was told to go for the exits and wait at the entrance outside the Parliament House building.
Several ministers, including Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah, National Unity Minister Datuk Halimah Mohammed Saddique and Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon, were also seen waiting outside.
Mohd Rashid said the alarm was rung at 10.18am.
“The Speaker asked us to leave the building for our safety while our security and safety department officers made a check.
“This was not a fire drill, something did happen but it was checked and now everything is fine,” he said.
At around 10.30am, another bell was rung, signalling for the MPs to return to the Dewan Rakyat and resume the debate.
It was understood that a faulty water sprinkler had triggered the emergency alarm.