Opposition MPs flabbergasted that long-awaited first parliament sitting of the year would be held only for a day.
The third session of the 14th Parliament scheduled to begin on May 18, will only sit for one day according to an email issued by Dewan Rakyat secretary Riduan Rahmat.
Originally scheduled for 15 days, the decision of having the sitting for only one day seems to be due to the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO).
“Following the implementation of the Movement Control Order, the Dewan Rakyat would convene to discuss government Bills and business only,” the notice read.
The letter adds that there will be no oral and written question sessions or motions.
While many would agree that social distancing in light of the Covid-19 is of utmost importance, opposition politicians have said that the decision should be reconsidered. In fact, Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang suggested that the ‘emasculation’ of Parliament could stand in the way of providing the best strategy to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic.
“According to the parliamentary notice, there would only be the speech by the Yang di Pertuan Agong opening the new Parliamentary session, but the debate on the motion of thanks to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the Royal Address had been postponed to the July meeting of Parliament (July 13-August 27).
“This is most unacceptable as it makes a farce of Parliament,” said Lim.
“One-day sitting of Parliament on May 18 must be reconsidered by Muhyiddin as Parliament should not be shunted off, emasculated or marginalised but must play a major role in galvanising national unity and solidarity during the Covid-19 pandemic,”
“Parliament can also provide scrutiny to ensure the most effective strategy to overcome Covid-19 crisis and the best exit plan for economic recovery,” Lim said.
Lim doesn’t seem alone in calling for the reconsideration of this one day Dewan Rakyat sitting, as Kota Malacca MP Khoo Poay Tiong put forward suggestions which could balance social distancing norms and keeping the gears of the Dewan Rakyat running.
Noting the fact that the lack of debates in the Dewan Rakyat would mean that he can’t put forward issues raised by his constituents, Khoo suggested that sittings be held over the internet.
“Parliament should explore the use of technology to convene online parliamentary sittings. If this is not possible at the Dewan Rakyat level, it should at least be implemented for the Special Chambers (Kamar Khas) or Select Committee meetings,” Khoo said.
In addition to that, to keep debates going Khoo also put forward the idea of having written question answers, where basically members of parliament can put forward written questions to Ministers who can also reply in writing.
“Documents (such as statutory reports) should still be sent to MPs, and it could easily be done by uploading it onto the parliament’s website. The government could also issue special reports or white papers on the Covid-19 situation or the economic stimulus package,” Khoo added.
In a statement, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok slammed the decision to convene only for one day, saying it went against the concept of parliamentary democracy.
“The Perikatan Nasional (PN) government has no legitimate basis to limit this sitting of Parliament to only one day as despite the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, we have seen lately that many democracies, such as the UK and the US, have convened normal parliamentary sessions.
“Better still, South Korea even held a general election (on Wednesday) under severe pandemic restrictions.
“The reason cited in the letter from our Parliament is ludicrous and holds no water,” said Kok.
She said the PN government was shamelessly and blatantly displaying open contempt for the role and function of Parliament.
“The government is attempting to stymie and undermine the legitimate role of Parliament and the concept of separation of powers in preventing robust debates on the stimulus package.
“The government is flagrantly attempting to bulldoze through the huge economic stimulus package of RM 250 billion (equivalent to Malaysia’s one year’s national budget) in a “back door” fashion without seeking proper approval from the Parliament,” she added.
Kok said it was also obvious that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is in grave fear of facing Pakatan Harapan MPs in a proper session of parliament as this may present an opportunity for the opposition to move a motion of no-confidence against him as PM.
The Dewan Negara will also convene on May 18 for Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah’s address, and adjourn after he finishes his speech.
However, the Dewan Rakyat will continue its sitting to debate the government’s measures to address the Covid-19 pandemic.
This is expected to involve the RM250 billion economic stimulus package that Putrajaya has rolled out to help employers and businesses with wage subsidies, rental waivers, low-interest loans and cash handouts for workers in the low income (B40) and middle income (M40) groups.
Muhyiddin has said that a supplementary supply bill on the funds needed for the package will be brought before MPs.
After the PN coalition took over, PH demanded his legitimacy as prime minister be tested through a vote of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat, but Muhyiddin has staved off such calls.
Along with the letter from the Dewan Rakyat secretary to MPs, a calendar has marked July 13 to August 27 as dates for the Dewan Rakyat’s second session, and September 2 to 23 for the Dewan Negara.
The third and final session of the year will be from September 28 to November 26 for the Dewan Rakyat, and November 30 to December 10 for the Dewan Negara.