[ENGLISH VERSION BELOW] Kami, selaku kumpulan masyarakat madani yang menandatangani kenyataan ini, berpendapat lima hari mesyuarat Khas Dewan Rakyat dari 26 Julai ini sangatlah tidak mencukupi untuk membahaskan pelbagai isu rakyat terutama melibatkan wabak Covid-19 yang tertangguh selama tujuh bulan sejak persidangannya terakhir tahun lepas.

Kami menggesa supaya semua jawatankuasa tetap dan jawatankuasa pilihan khas di kedua-dua Dewan Rakyat dan Dewan Negara dibenarkan berjalan sepenuhnya seperti sedia kala dalam menjalankan fungsi semak dan imbangnya yang lebih intensif terhadap segala dasar-dasar eksekutif.

Bagi mengoptimumkan perjalanan mesyuarat jawatankuasa-jawatankuasa dengan kehadiran penuh ahli dan urus setianya, peruntukan peraturan mesyuarat Parlimen mestilah dipinda dan ditafsir bagi membolehkan prosiding diadakan secara dalam talian. Kaedah ini bukan sahaja demi menjamin keselamatan dan kesihatan daripada ancaman Covid, malah mengelakkan kesukaran untuk ahli jawatankuasa kalangan ahli Parlimen dari Malaysia Timur yang mungkin terpaksa melalui kuarantin wajib setelah pulang dari mesyuarat jawatankuasa di Kuala Lumpur. Ia juga akan mengurangkan kesulitan untuk pegawai dan kakitangan kementerian serta agensi kerajaan dalam meluangkan masa untuk menghadiri mesyuarat jawatankuasa di Parlimen.

Jawatankuasa Kira-Kira Wang Negara (PAC) harus segera menyemak dan menyiasat semua perbelanjaan oleh kerajaan sepanjang tempoh darurat 2021 berkuatkuasa sejak awal tahun ini. Lebih-lebih lagi apabila Ordinan Darurat 2021 yang telah diwartakan membenarkan perdana menteri membelanjakan Kumpulan Wang Disatukan dan Kumpulan Wang Amanah Negara (KWAN) tanpa melalui kelulusan Parlimen.

Jawatankuasa Pilihan Khas Kesihatan, Sains Dan Inovasi hendaklah mengadakan mesyuarat segera bagi meneliti pelaksanaan program imunisasi Covid kebangsaan dan langkah-langkah berkenaan pengurusan krisis kesihatan awam Covid. Jawatankuasa juga mestilah bertindak proaktif mengadakan sesi libat urus dan konsultasi bersama semua pemegang taruh berkaitan untuk mencari jalan penyelesaian terbaik melawan pandemik.

Jawatankuasa Pilihan Khas Hal Ehwal Wanita Dan Kanak-Kanak Dan Pembangunan Sosial turut perlu menilai keperluan kewangan, nutrisi dan psikologi bagi isi rumah ketika perintah kawalan pergerakan. Juga mesti diteliti keberkesanan usaha yang dijalankan Kementerian Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat serta agensi berkaitan dalam membantu memenuhi keperluan golongan-golongan yang rentan dan terkesan ini.

Jawatankuasa Pilihan Khas Kewangan Dan Ekonomi juga patut segera menilai kesan wabak Covid terhadap ekonomi rakyat dan negara. Hal ini termasuklah impak terhadap golongan rentan 40% yang terbawah dan 40% yang pertengahan yang kehilangan pendapatan dan pekerjaan. Tidak terkecuali pelaburan langsung domestik dan asing. Sebuah pendengaran terbuka mesti dijalankan bersama semua pemegang taruh kalangan pemain industri dan rakyat bagi memulihkan ekonomi rakyat dan negara.

Jawatankuasa Pilihan Khas Pendidikan pula harus meneliti dan menilai segala dasar pendidikan yang telah dilaksanakan kerajaan ke atas institusi pendidikan sejak perintah kawalan pergerakan dan pelan pemulihan negara dilaksanakan. Dasar seperti pengajaran dan pembelajaran di rumah yang melalui beberapa fasa pelaksanaan, termasuk keputusan terbaru pembukaan sekolah awal September ini mesti dikaji semasak-masaknya.

Maka, ingin diingatkan bahawa jawatankuasa parlimen selaku komponen teras bagi sesebuah badan legislatif dalam negara demokrasi tidak boleh tidak diberi kebebasan dan berperanan aktif dalam menambahbaik dasar dan perundangan negara terutama ketika wabak Covid.

Kenyataan ini adalah inisiatif Komuniti Perintis untuk Parlimen Profesional, sebuah jaringan individu yang aktif dalam kumpulan masyarakat madani, badan pemikir dan akademia yang memperjuangkan sebuah Parlimen yang profesional bagi mewujudkan persaingan dasar yang sihat antara pelbagai parti.

Ditandatangani oleh:

• Gabungan Pilihan Raya Bersih dan Adil (Bersih 2.0)
• Engage
• Institute for Political Reform and Democracy (Reform)
• Bait Al-Amanah
• Persatuan Pengundi Muda (Undi18)
• Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas)

English version

All parliamentary committees should be fully functional and allowed to operate virtually

We, the undersigned civil society groups, opine that the five days of the special sitting of the Dewan Rakyat from 26 July are not enough to discuss various issues of the rakyat, especially involving the Covid-19 pandemic. The sitting has been delayed for seven months since the last sitting last year.

We urge that all standing committees and special select committees in both Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara be allowed to fully operate as usual in carrying out their function of checks and balances on all executive policies in a more intensive manner.

To optimise the operation of the committees with the full attendance of their members and secretariat, the provisions under the standing orders should be amended and interpreted to enable proceedings to be held online. This method is not only to ensure security and safety from the Covid threat but also to avoid inconvenience for committee members among MPs from East Malaysia who may have to go through compulsory quarantine after returning from the committee meetings in Kuala Lumpur. It will also reduce any unnecessary inconveniences for public officials and staff of ministries and agencies in taking the time to attend committee meetings in Parliament.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) should immediately review and investigate all expenditure by the government during the Emergency 2021 period effective since the beginning of this year, especially when the gazetted emergency ordinances 2021 allow the Prime Minister to spend the Consolidated Fund and the National Trust Fund without obtaining parliamentary approval.

The Select Committee on Health, Science and Innovation should convene an immediate meeting to review the implementation of the national Covid immunisation programme and measures regarding the management of the Covid public health crisis. The committee must also act proactively to hold engagement sessions and consultations with all relevant stakeholders to find the best solution to combat the pandemic.

The Select Committee on Women and Child Affairs and Social Development should assess the financial, nutritional and psychological needs of households during the movement control order. The effectiveness of the efforts carried out by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community and related agencies in helping to meet the needs of these vulnerable and affected groups must also be examined.

The Select Committee on Finance and Economy should immediately assess the impact of the Covid pandemic on the economy of the rakyat and the country. This includes the impact on the bottom 40% and middle 40% vulnerable groups who have lost their income and jobs. Domestic direct investment and foreign direct investment are no exception. An open hearing must be held with all stakeholders among industry players and the rakyat to revive the economy of the rakyat and the country.

The Special Select Committee on Education should examine and evaluate all education policies that have been implemented by the government on educational institutions since the movement control order and the national recovery plan were implemented. Policies such as home-based teaching and learning, which have undergone several phases of implementation, including the latest decision regarding the opening of schools in early September, must be carefully reviewed.

Therefore, it should be noted that the parliamentary committees, as a core component of a legislative body in a democratic country, cannot be denied their independence and should play an active role in improving national policies and legislation, especially during the Covid outbreak.

This statement is initiated by the Seed Community for a Professional Parliament, a network of individuals active in civil society organisations, think tanks and academia working towards a professional Parliament that facilitates healthy policy competition between parties.

Signed by:

• Gabungan Pilihan Raya Bersih dan Adil (Bersih 2.0)
• Engage
• Institute for Political Reform and Democracy (Reform)
• Bait Al-Amanah
• Persatuan Pengundi Muda (Undi18)
• Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas)

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: