Parliament to convene on May 18 as planned but with COVID-19 safeguards

KUALA LUMPUR (March 31): Preparations are being made to allow the Parliament sitting to proceed as planned on March 18 but with precautions against COVID-19, Malaysiakini reported today.

"In light of the COVID-19 global pandemic, Parliament will take necessary measures for the Dewan Rakyat sitting scheduled on May 18," Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Takiyuddin Hassan said.

According to Malaysiakini, the Dewan Rakyat is to have its first meeting of the third session of the 14th Parliament on May 18. The House will sit for 15 days.

"Several measures will be taken into account considering the second phase of the Movement Control Order (MCO) and enhanced MCO in some locations."

Takiyuddin, who is in charge of law and parliamentary affairs, said the government's priority is the safety of the people, including MPs.

He urged all quarters to cooperate with the authorities.

Malaysiakini said the Opposition has repeatedly called on the government to convene an emergency Parliament sitting to discuss bipartisan measures to cope with the COVID-19 crisis and economic fallout.

To combat coronavirus, the country has gone into a partial lockdown since March 18.

MCO was supposed to end today but was extended until April 14.

Under the MCO, all non-essential businesses and services must close while people are only allowed to leave their homes for pressing reasons such as to restock food supply.

The measures have brought a large section of the country's economy to a standstill.

As of noon yesterday, Malaysia recorded 2,626 COVID-19 cases with 37 deaths.

Globally, there are 786,907 cases to date with 37,480 deaths.

However, the government has not indicated any plans for an emergency sitting.

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