IT is time to reconvene Parliament for reasons backed by “science and data”, said Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Umno president said it has been 25 days since the Yang di-Pertuan Agong decreed that Parliament can convene during the emergency but Putrajaya has not called for a meeting till now.

The Bagan Datuk lawmaker said the Perikatan Nasional administration had cited science and data as a reason to suspend Parliament, even though the August House functions as a check and balance to democracy.

“I am of the view that it is time to restore democracy with the reasoning of science and data,” he said in a Facebook post.

He said Parliament can convene virtually like it is being done in many other countries.

“Secondly, many MPs have received their Covid-19 vaccine since the start of the national vaccination programme,” the former deputy prime minister said.

He also noted that there is no reason for Parliament to remain closed when other activities including schools have resumed.

Zahid drew attention to Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker and Batu Pahat MP Mohd Rashid Hasnon’s recent Facebook post on how he ran around the Parliament building yesterday for the launch of the Parliament Virtual Run 2021.

“This means Parliament is a safe zone and will remain safe as long as all attendees comply to SOP (standard operating procedure),” he said.

Law Minister Takiyuddin Hassan said on March 3 that the cabinet had advised the Yang di-Pertuan Agong that Parliament will not convene during the emergency for reasons linked to science and data, and legal matters.

He said a significant number of lawmakers are senior citizens who are considered Covid-19 high-risk cases. – March 21, 2021.