ALL MPs, cabinet members and government officials, as well as reporters covering proceedings, must be screened for Covid-19 before the Dewan Rakyat reconvenes on July 13.

Parliament communications officer Muhammad Afiq Mohd Hanif told The Malaysian Insight that the testing must be done by July 10.

Members of the media are to foot the bill for their tests, he said, adding that whether to allow them to get screened in the Parliament building besides private clinics is still being discussed.

The Health Ministry made testing a requirement, said Afiq.

The complete standard operating procedures will be announced on Wednesday.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof said only two representatives per media outlet will be allowed to cover the sitting.

Parliament last convened on May 18, with only official media permitted to provide coverage. All lawmakers were also required to undergo Covid-19 testing then.

The Dewan Rakyat is scheduled to hold its second meeting of the year over 25 days, from July 13 to August 27, while the third is set for 26 days, from November 2 to December 15. The government is due to table Budget 2021 on November 6.

Malaysia is in the recovery movement-control order till August 31. Although the number of new coronavirus cases is decreasing, the Health Ministry urges the public to continue practising social distancing and maintain good hygiene.

Former Pakatan Harapan chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said he intends to table a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin at the next Dewan Rakyat meet.

He also revealed that the opposition is planning to vote against the government’s proposed annual budget. – June 27, 2020.