LANGKAWI: The statement by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law), Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan that Parliament cannot convene in the near future as most MPs are among high-risk groups is just an excuse, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

According to the Langkawi Member of Parliament, there is no record until now to show that COVID-19 cases originated from the Dewan Rakyat sittings other than a safe location for debate sessions according to standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the Ministry of Health (MOH).

"I'm 95 (years old), I go to Parliament often and I didn't get sick. I haven't been infected with the epidemic until I get the injection today. With the jab, I am safer.

“So, to give the reason that there are the elderly and what not, this is not an excuse not to hold a parliamentary session, there is not a single case during a parliamentary session,” he said.

Dr Mahathir said this when met by the media after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine injection at the Vaccine Reception Centre (PPV) at the Langkawi Sports Complex, here on Sunday.

The former prime minister said he and the majority of MPs were ready to comply with all the new rules enforced in preventing the spread of COVID-19 among elected representatives, including the installation of barriers and seat distancing.

Dr Mahathir also stressed that the injection of COVID-19 vaccine on Members of Parliament could also provide more protection to the group, including attending parliamentary sessions.

This, according to him, is because the Dewan Rakyat is able to be the best field for all MPs to find the best solution to all the problems faced when the country was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Takiyuddin had previously said that there was no need to convene a parliamentary session during the Proclamation of Emergency period.

He said the parliamentary session would be decided by the Cabinet based on the current situation in the country before advising the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

He added that almost half of MPs belong to the risk groups and the government did not want to be exposed to things that would be the reason for the spread of COVID-19 as they were in a closed space.