Why is Dewan Rakyat quarantined but not the MPs, asks Najib

Why is Dewan Rakyat quarantined but not the MPs, asks Najib

Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak has asked why the Parliament building is off limits but the MPs who were within its halls are allowed to roam freely.

The Pekan MP also asked whether the empty halls are infectious or the human beings who were inside are the ones exposed to the risk of (catching and transmitting) Covid-19.

"So why has the government quarantined the empty house for two weeks but the (potentially) vulnerable MPs are allowed here and there, including facing the king, entering their offices and having many night meetings at their homes?" he asked in a Facebook post.

"Whose data and science are behind this decision? Can Covid-19 breed like cockroaches in empty halls?

"It just makes no sense,” said Najib, who served as premier from 2009 to 2018.

"This strange decision is among the examples of why Covid-19 is becoming worse under the PN government until it becomes among the worst in the world in terms of infections per capita.

"If vulnerable MPs have long been allowed to roam free then it's safe to reopen Parliament right now because empty halls are not infecting anyone," he added.

The suspension of Parliament was announced on Saturday by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin who cited the risk of Covid-19 after 11 cases were detected at the Parliament.

Since then, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told a press conference that he has presented a number of letters from Umno MPs to the king, to prove that they have withdrawn support to PN, and showcased 11 including himself as among those who signed the letters.

Muhyiddin, however, held a press conference where he said that he still commands the majority of support in the Parliament, but promised to put it to a test with a vote of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat when it reconvenes next month.