No Parliament as many MPs in Covid-19 high-risk group, says minister

Ragananthini Vethasalam Ragananthini Vethasalam Updated 3 years ago · Published on 3 Mar 2021 2:39PM · 7 Comments

Law minister Takiyuddin Hassan says Parliament will not convene during the emergency as a high number of MPs are in the Covid-19 high-risk age group. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, March 3, 2021.

A SIGNIFICANT number of lawmakers are senior citizens who are considered Covid-19 high-risk cases, said law minister Takiyuddin Hassan.

The minister, who is also in charge of Parliamentary Affairs, said there are 77 MPs aged between 60 and 69 while 19 are between the ages of 70 and 79.

There are four MPs who are 80 and above.

Excluding the Batu Sapi and Gerik parliamentary seats, which are currently vacant following the death of the MPs, there are 220 lawmakers in Dewan Rakyat.

“A bulk of our MPs belong to the high-risk group. We do not want our MPs to be exposed because we have to be in a confined area,” he said.

“When Parliament is in session, each MP will have three aides. So that is 220 multiplied by three. In addition to that, there are government officials.”

He said Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has assured that Parliament can convene after the emergency ends on August 1.

“That is our justification. There is no other reason,” Takiyuddin said in justifying why Parliament meetings cannot be held at the moment.

The Kota Baru MP was responding to questions on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah’s consent for Parliament to meet during the emergency.

“His majesty has stated his view that parliament can convene during the emergency on a date that his majesty deems suitable, on the advice of the prime minister,” the comptroller of the Royal Household Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin had said in a statement.

Takiyuddin said the cabinet has advised the king that there will not be a sitting at this juncture.

He said the advice was given based on legal reasons and the pandemic. – March 3, 2021.

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Comments

  • While everyone was ask to adopt to the new norms apparently our Government still can't think outside of the box when it comes to term with reality. I guess we all can understand why they reacted in such manner cause after all the crawl in through the back door where honesty and integrity were never in their vocabulary

    Posted 3 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply

  • Absolute nonsense from someone who love to speaks without thinking. Parliament is an important institution and should convene as quickly as possible. Even our wise Agong has consented to Parliament meeting during the Emergency. Vaccinate the high risk MPs and their aides first. Not many of them. If they are vaccinated by next week and receive the 2nd dose, Parliament can easily convene by April. Or are you afraid of Parliament convening, that you might lose your position and privileges as a Minister. I just wonder, not accusing you of anything.

    Posted 3 years ago by Mike Mok · Reply

  • There is some rationality on the comments by Takiyuddin. As always, there will be shouting and uproar in the august house and if taken lightly, SOP rules might be broken. Lets be patient and wait till the Emergency rule is lifted to make way for GE 15

    Posted 3 years ago by SYED ABDULLAH BIN MOHAMED · Reply

    • Doesn't make a sense. If these so called high risk YBs can move around to meet their supporters as well as for politicking, than I don't see the reason why they can't attend the parliament sitting. Look like YB Taki just downgraded himself with illogical justification.

      Posted 3 years ago by Anak Malaysia · Reply

  • As good a reason for those above 60 to give way to youth as any, regardless of party, I'm sick of the same old narratives from the same old players from the same old parties...

    Posted 3 years ago by A Subscriber · Reply

  • PAS is terrified of Parliament.

    Posted 3 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

  • Come on lah YB Taki. I do have high respect on you as a learned lawyer as well as politician. Please don't give this kind of justification. You are just downgrading your intellectual ability.

    Posted 3 years ago by Anak Malaysia · Reply