THREE members of Parliament have tested positive for Covid-19, according to a news portal.

Astro Awani reported that the three lawmakers and another four who had come in contact with a Covid-19-infected person have been quarantined ahead of the Parliament meeting on Monday.

The three were tested positive when MPs were screened yesterday for the coronavirus.

Thirty-five Parliament staff members have also tested positive and are in quarantine now.

In a separate report, quoting sources, Utusan Malaysia online reported that the lawmakers tested positive are Umno president and Bagan Datuk MP Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Federal Territories Minister and Ketereh MP Annuar Musa and Bachok MP Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz.

It said Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Mohd Rashid Hasnon is in quarantine after an aide tested positive for the virus.

However, tonight, Annuar’s political secretary, Budiman Mohd Zohdi, denied that he had been tested positive for Covid-19. 

Yesterday, Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun said 35 MPs have only received one dose of Covid-19 vaccine while four have not received even their first jab for undisclosed reasons.

He said they are still allowed to attend the Dewan Rakyat meeting.

“All MPs are allowed to come to Parliament even if they are not vaccinated, but we advise those who are not vaccinated to be careful, because we cannot stop them from performing their duties under the federal constitution,” he said in a press conference.

Azhar said he had previously held discussions with national Covid-19 immunisation programme coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who agreed that all parliamentary staff should be vaccinated, and so far, 90% of them have received both shots.

He said Parliament has set certain “house rules”, among which is to ensure that every individual who comes to Parliament, including contractors, ministry staff and ministerial escort officers, has been vaccinated.

“If they are not vaccinated, we will not allow them to enter,” he said.

As a security measure, Azhar said, every individual, including MPs, officers on duty, Parliament staff, media personnel, contractors’ workers, drivers and bodyguards will have to take a swab test.

A total of 1,008 people were screened two days ago while all MPs were screened yesterday.

A special session of the Dewan Rakyat will be held for five days beginning July 26 while the Dewan Negara will convene for three days beginning August 3. – July 24, 2021.