Pn Mps Call For Action Against Prabakaran Over Hso Violation

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PARLIAMENT | Perikatan Nasional lawmakers have called for Batu MP P Prabakaran to be referred to the Rights and Privileges Committee for an alleged violation of a home-stay order (HSO) when he was present in Parliament to vote on the Communications and Multimedia Ministry's budget last Thursday.
The issue arose when former minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor (BN-Putrajaya) interrupted speaker Azhar Azizan Harun to ask for his views saying that he had been informed that last Thursday (Dec 10) Prabakaran had entered Parliament to participate in the debate.
Segamat MP Edmund Santhara then added that he was informed Prabakaran had been present in the House even though HSO had been given to him at 11am Thursday because a brother or relative of his had tested positive for Covid-19.
Despite being given the order, the Batu MP was present for a vote, claimed Santhara, saying that if he wasn't present, someone had voted on his behalf.
Azhar replied that on the day in question, he was not aware that such an incident had taken place, just that when the list of those who voted was prepared, he did note that Prabharakan had voted.
"As I have said before, the authority to punish or to summon those who violate the rules set by the Health Ministry and National Security Council with regard to Covid-19 does not lie with me.
"I advise that you lodge a report with the relevant authorities should you wish to take the matter further," he added.
On Sunday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Takiyuddin Hassan said lawmakers undergoing HSOs would be allowed to attend Parliament for the process of voting by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).
He named Health Minister Dr Adham Baba, Human Resources Minister M Saravanan and Prabakaran as the three MPs who were under quarantine as they are close contacts to positive Covid-19 patients, saying that they would be placed in a special area in the Dewan Rakyat so that they can vote during the committee stage of the Budget 2021.
However, this announcement by Takiyuddin came three days after Prabakaran's alleged violation.




Azhar Azizan Harun
Arau MP Shahidan Kassim said this case "should not be taken lightly" and called for Azhar to refer Prabakaran to the Rights and Privileges Committee.
"He is endangering us with the possibility of spreading infections involving MPs. Because this is an extraordinary violation, I request that the speaker himself refer Batu MP to the Rights and Privileges Committee of the Dewan Rakyat. Any punishment under the Health Ministry is a separate issue," he said.
Azhar then said he would take the matter under advisement to see if he should refer the MP or a motion needs to be introduced.
Noh Omar (BN-Tanjung Karang) then added his view that due to Parliamentary immunity, it was best to refer the matter to the Rights and Privileges Committee.
"Nobody else can take action against us," claimed Noh.
However, Gopeng MP Dr Lee Boon Chye came to Prabakaran's defence, questioning if he was being targeted. 
He queried if his fellow PKR MP was indeed a close contact of the patient who tested positive because not every family needs to be considered a close contact.
Azhar said he was not going to delve into that aspect, but would review the issue of whether or not Prabakaran should be referred. - Mkini

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