LETTER | One of Parliament's main roles is to monitor and scrutinise the work of the government through questioning and debating policies. Our Parliament is a key institution that provides check and balance as our elected MPs raise questions and offer direction so that their diverse constituencies are not left behind.
We have now been told that the May 10 Parliament session is only to listen to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s opening speech and a discussion on government bills and matters. There will be no oral question session, written questions, motions, and special chambers sittings.
Reportedly the debate and question time will be postponed to July 2020. However, there has been no assurance of this either.
The Covid-19 is a pandemic that is happening now, and we should not be waiting another three months to debate crucial policies on the health budget, medical services, online education, safety nets for the poor, protection for victims of domestic violence, the harsh punishment and double standards for offenders of the movement control order (MCO), and refugee and migrant issues; just to name a few of the immediate areas of great concern in the context of Covid-19.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin must exercise courage and face parliamentary oversight and scrutiny. Already his unelected Perikatan Nasional (PN) government has met with opposition, as its legitimacy is questioned. It is therefore critical that he should marshal the political will to stand up and face his colleagues in Parliament and be subject to detailed scrutiny.
Covid-19 should not be used as an excuse to subvert the voice of the people by denying debates in Parliament. Across the world, the legislative bodies have taken different measures to ensure the debates on policies continue; for instance through video-conferencing and appropriate seating arrangements that permit physical distancing.
Such a measure takes place also in Penang. Recently, our Court of Appeal too has gone online in their session. These are some examples that Muhyiddin can also implement to ensure our MPs get to debate the emergency measures during this pandemic, and also to ensure that the voice of the opposition is also heard so to develop a more holistic and inclusive policy in the face of Covid-19.
The Society for the Promotion of Human Rights (Proham) therefore strongly urges the prime minister to do right by the Malaysian people and call for a parliamentary session as per usual albeit with provisions for physical distancing.
KUTHUBUL ZAMAN BUKHARI is the chairperson and IVY JOSIAH is the secretary general of Society for the Promotion of Human Rights (Proham).
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
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