Home Civil Society Voices Hakam calls on government to urgently extend one-day Parliament sitting

Hakam calls on government to urgently extend one-day Parliament sitting

Follow us on our Malay and English WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, Tiktok and Youtube channels.

Hakam reiterates its call for the government to extend the Parliament sitting beyond the mere one day scheduled for 18 May 2020.

This is especially in light of the government’s recent decision to allow all businesses to operate with full capacity on 4 May 2020 and even to allow recreational activities like jogging and golfing.

It would be a complete mockery of the august house of Parliament and constitutional democracy in Malaysia if Parliament is deemed less essential than these activities. There is no excuse now for the government to restrict Parliament sittings to one day with no further dates in sight.

The law-making function of Parliament is essential to prepare Malaysia for the economic impact of Covid-19. The human resources minister himself announced that labour laws must be revised to suit Covid-19’s ‘new normal’ – how else does one do that without convening Parliament for more than one day?

Other governments such as in the UK, Australia and Singapore have reportedly faced no difficulty in convening parliament to transact sessions. Arrangements such as virtual parliamentary hearings through teleconferencing, social distancing and the wearing of masks can be made. And these countries have indeed passed much-needed laws amid the pandemic to help people in need and support the economy.

Hakam calls for the government to put politics aside in these difficult times. Politics must not be a barrier to urgently needed people-centric legislation.

Lim Wei Jiet is secretary-general of Hakam

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
  1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
  2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
  3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
  4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
  5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Support our work by making a donation. Tap to download the QR code below and scan this QR code from Gallery by using TnG e-wallet or most banking apps:
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x