Minister: Parliament to go on as scheduled

PETALING JAYA: Parliament will convene for its first sitting this year as scheduled despite concerns arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Parliamentary Affairs) Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan confirmed that the sitting would go on as planned on the dates fixed, beginning May 18.

He said the necessary preparations were currently being done, with several precautions to be taken.

“In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are drafting several measures that have to be taken to prepare for the coming sitting.

“It will also take into consideration phase two of the nationwide movement control order (MCO) and the enhanced MCO in several areas,” he said in a statement yesterday.

“The government’s main concern is to ensure the safety of the rakyat, including parliamentarians,” he added.

Takiyuddin urged all quarters to cooperate with Parliament staff who would be on duty during the sitting, as well as adhering to all orders from the authorities.

His statement comes amid concerns that the Parliament sitting might be postponed further in light of the virus outbreak.

The first sitting was originally scheduled to take place on March 9, but was pushed back by two months after a political upheaval saw Perikatan Nasional coming into federal power, replacing Pakatan Harapan.

The Dewan Rakyat will sit for 15 days between May 18 and June 23, with the Yang diPertuan Agong expected to open the sitting. – Amar Shah Mohsen