Covid-19: Senior minister says not possible to virtually table Budget, delay Batu Sapi poll
Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob delivering his speech during a media conference in Putrajaya October 27, 2020. — Bernama pic
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 — Parliament’s Standing Orders does not allow for Budget 2021 to be tabled virtually, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today.
He acknowledged that doing so would reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection in the current third wave, but said lawmakers were still required to be physically present in the Dewan Rakyat.
“Legally, I am informed that we cannot limit the conference so that it is made virtually.
“This is because we cannot vote outside Parliament, we have to be in Parliament. Australia has held virtual conferences, but it is not possible for them (the MPs) to vote... so many constraints make it difficult for the sitting.
“That is why we continue the parliamentary session as usual, but with strict standard operating procedures (SOPs),” he said in a press conference today.
On October 23, Dewan Rakyat speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun said Dewan Rakyat sittings cannot be held virtually because the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s proclamation provides that these must take place in Parliament.
In the same press conference today, Ismail also said the Batu Sapi by-election cannot be postponed as the Election Commission (EC) has already announced the polling date.
The minister said it was also not possible to prevent voters from travelling to the Sabah constituency to vote as this was their constitutional right.
However, he said the EC and Health Ministry were discussing added guidelines to minimise the risk of Covid-19 to voters.
“To block people from crossing districts and states is quite difficult,” he said.
Ismail Sabri said authorities were aware of the risks of Covid-19 infections after witnessing what occurred during the Sabah state election and were trying to find the best possible compromise.
EC previously announced that the Batu Sapi parliamentary by-election will be held on December 5 following the death of incumbent Datuk Liew Vui Keong on October 2, believed to be due to a lung infection.
He acknowledged that doing so would reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection in the current third wave, but said lawmakers were still required to be physically present in the Dewan Rakyat.
“Legally, I am informed that we cannot limit the conference so that it is made virtually.
“This is because we cannot vote outside Parliament, we have to be in Parliament. Australia has held virtual conferences, but it is not possible for them (the MPs) to vote... so many constraints make it difficult for the sitting.
“That is why we continue the parliamentary session as usual, but with strict standard operating procedures (SOPs),” he said in a press conference today.
On October 23, Dewan Rakyat speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun said Dewan Rakyat sittings cannot be held virtually because the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s proclamation provides that these must take place in Parliament.
In the same press conference today, Ismail also said the Batu Sapi by-election cannot be postponed as the Election Commission (EC) has already announced the polling date.
The minister said it was also not possible to prevent voters from travelling to the Sabah constituency to vote as this was their constitutional right.
However, he said the EC and Health Ministry were discussing added guidelines to minimise the risk of Covid-19 to voters.
“To block people from crossing districts and states is quite difficult,” he said.
Ismail Sabri said authorities were aware of the risks of Covid-19 infections after witnessing what occurred during the Sabah state election and were trying to find the best possible compromise.
EC previously announced that the Batu Sapi parliamentary by-election will be held on December 5 following the death of incumbent Datuk Liew Vui Keong on October 2, believed to be due to a lung infection.
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kt notes:
A state of emergency will solve the whole complexity of managing the pandemic more conveniently and assuage grave concerns over the health safety factor, but the slim margin by which Muhyiddin hangs on to power could be the principal cause of denying his government that declaration (of emergency).
The Agong would have considered all these when he said there was no necessity to declare a state of emergency for Malaysia. Indeed, I suspect if the Muhyiddin government has had a rock solid majority in parliament, then the Agong (plus Rulers) might have approved the declaration of emergency.
There was just too much pressure from both the politicians and public, even the ordinary Joe in the marketplace who all, for their separate interests (selfishness or democracy-motivated), believe Muhyiddin was trying to evade a parliamentary vote of no confidence. OK, there might be true, but was it all worthwhile?
Oh, don't ask Tuk this as he is too senile, selfish and sleazy to make a measured rational response for the interests of Malaysians as he cares only for the opportunity to re-secure the recent powers he had thrown away in his gamble for his desired no-party 'Unity' technocratic cabinet (one which doesn't question-obstruct his every instructions, policies and programs, wakakaka).
KT is treading on thin ice insinuating the Agong is unwise...? Ronnie got arrested for much less...
ReplyDeleteAllow more people to vote by post. All that is required is an amendment to the elections act. Also allow more time, say 2 or 3 days for polling, to reduce crowding.
ReplyDeleteIt is obvious Bersatu, PAS, Art Harun and Takiyuddin are digging up as many "excuses" as possible to make it look like a suspension of parliament was necessary.
ReplyDeleteBudget can be presented with the minimum quorum (26/222) present. All debates can also be done like that, with 26 MPs rotated every 2 hours to ensure quorum. Similarly passing votes can be done simply by allowing in the MPs in batches to satisfy quorum.
The UK Parliament did work out a practical way to pass necessary laws.
ReplyDeleteThe number of MPs attending reduced to 1/3 to meet social distancing , and the respective parties organise their MPs to attend, in the mathematical proportion of their number of MPs.
Other MPs can join debate by remote, but only those in the Chamber can vote.
Party Whips still rule.
Quorum more than met, Party representation in Parliament respected, laws passed as necessary.
Hmmm.....just one problem...Moo has a majority of 1 , thereabouts, in Parliament , so that proportional representation would be a problem.
However, the Budget 2021 Finance Minister dialogue with Harapan MPs yesterday - 1st time in Malaysian history - should allow the Budget to be passed without risk of a fail.
There are many ways to get effective Government work done without resorting a sledgehammer Emergency.
allow parliament to decide whos the govt is not a better choice during pendemic meh? declare emergency is another option but i dun k ow what this hv to do with control of covid.
ReplyDeletehm just wan hm govt stay, thats y we r in a mess.