Deputy Speaker Parliament May Only Allow 80 Mps In Hall For Upcoming Meeting

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JOHOR BARU: Parliament is looking at limiting the number of MPs at each sitting to 80 when it reconvenes for five days from July 26, says Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon.
He added that the matter was suggested by the Dewan Rakyat committee and would be discussed with the chief whips of political parties.
"We expect a decision soon as we have about one week before Parliament reconvenes.
"This suggestion is similar to what was set during the last Parliament meeting last year where only 80 out of out of 222 MPs were allowed to enter," he said after attending the Prihatin Johor mobile vaccination programme held at Dewan Serbaguna Sri Stulang here on Sunday (July 18).
The Batu Pahat MP added that the seating allocation was 44 MPs from the government and 36 for the Opposition.
"If we follow last year's method, each session will have 80 MPs at the Dewan Rakyat and they can take turns among themselves to attend – but it must follow standard operating procedures (SOPs).
"Each session will last for about four hours from 10am to 1pm, and 2.30pm to 5.30pm," he added.
He also said the Dewan Rakyat would sit for five days and the Dewan Negara for three days.
"Every minister and their deputy must limit their staff to two or three in the building and they must undergo a Covid-19 screening test and adhere to all SOPs," he said.
Mohd Rashid reminded all attending MPs to only ask questions to ministers and deputy ministers pertaining to Covid-19 matters only.
"No debates are allowed during the meeting but we will give space for the MPs to ask questions and there is one motion – which is to make Parliament hybrid or not – but that is not at the agenda right now as we can do it normally.
The Prime Minister's Office had announced earlier that the special meeting would take place between July 26 and Aug 2 while Dewan Negara would meet from Aug 3 to 5.
The special meeting will centre around the National Recovery Plan and amendments to the law to allow a hybrid Parliament meeting to be held. - Star

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