ONE of Parliament’s main roles is to monitor and scrutinise the work of the government by questioning and debating policies.

Our Parliament is a key institution that provides checks and balances, as our elected MPs raise questions and offer direction so that their diverse constituencies are not left behind.

We have now been told that the May 18 parliamentary session is only to listen to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s opening speech and discuss government bills and related matters. There will be no oral question session, written questions, motions and special chamber sittings. It has been reported that debates and ministers’ question time will be postponed to July. However, there has been no assurance of this.

The Covid-19 pandemic is happening now, and we should not wait another three months to debate crucial policies on the health budget, medical services, online education, safety nets for the poor, protection for victims of domestic violence, the harsh punishment and double standards for movement-control order violators, and refugee and migrant issues – just to name a few of the immediate areas of great concern in the context of the outbreak.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin must exercise courage and face parliamentary oversight and scrutiny. His unelected Perikatan Nasional government has already met with opposition, with its legitimacy questioned. It is therefore critical for him to marshal the political will to stand up and face his colleagues in Parliament, and be subjected to detailed scrutiny.

Covid-19 should not be used as an excuse to subvert the voice of the people by denying debates in Parliament. Across the world, legislative bodies have taken various measures to ensure debates on policies continue, for instance, through videoconferencing and seating arrangements that heed physical distancing. Such measures are being practised in Penang. And recently, our Court of Appeal went online.

These are some examples that Muhyiddin can follow to ensure MPs get to debate emergency measures during the pandemic, and also to ensure that the voice of the opposition is heard so as to develop a holistic and inclusive policy in the face of Covid-19.

The Society for the Promotion of Human Rights (Proham) strongly urges Muhyiddin to do right by the Malaysian people and call for a parliamentary session as per usual, albeit with provisions for physical distancing. – April 27, 2020.

* Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari is chairman and Ivy Josiah secretary-general of Proham.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.