Three MPs instructed to wear PPE, ride in ambulance

KUALA LUMPUR: Three Members of Parliament (MP) who have been subjected to Home Surveillance and Observation Order (HSO) have applied for permission to attend the 2021 Supply Bill (RUU) voting session at the committee stage in the Dewan Rakyat session today.

The matter was confirmed by Dewan Rakyat Speaker, Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun.

In this regard, Azhar said, the three MPs who were in close contact with COVID-19 positive individuals were instructed to wear protective clothing (PPE) and will be taken in an ambulance to the Parliament building.

He explained that it was to ensure the security of the officers and sergeant-at-arms who accompanied the MPs.

"We have also provided a room for them to sit. They will sit there and if they want to vote the (Supply Bill), they will put on a new PPE.

"They will enter through the Public Gallery door and votes will be taken from them. The vote counters and observers will have to wear visors.

"After voting, they need to leave the Public Gallery so that we can limit contact with everyone," he said at the Dewan Rakyat, here today.

He said this in response to a question from Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen (DAP-Bandar Kuching) who asked for an explanation on the security aspects of the sergeant-at-arms following the permission for the MPs to attend the Dewan Rakyat session.

Kelvin had earlier sought clarification on whether the Dewan Rakyat had changed the standard operating procedure (SOP) merely to allow the three MPs to be present.

Responding to the matter, Azhar stressed that the Dewan Rakyat did not change any SOP related to the COVID-19 prevention guidelines.

On the other hand, he stressed, the three MPs need to get the permission of the Director-General of Health, Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

"I did not change the SOP, I just followed the SOP set by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and also Dr Noor Hisham.

"Some say we do not give them a chance to attend and debate but I think for the vote, we make a lot of concessions.

"For the vote, we allow all to enter the House. With regards to the three (MPs), that is not my decision.

"They need to ask permission from the Health Director-General and if allowed , then it is necessary to follow the SOP set by him, not by me," he said.