Art Harun Explains Why Only 80 MPs Allowed In Budget 2021 Tabling
The Dewan Rakyat Speaker said 41 MPs will be from the government and 39 from the opposition.
By May Vin Ang — 05 Nov 2020, 05:53 PM
Only 80 out of 222 Members of Parliament (MPs) will now be allowed in the Dewan Rakyat for Parliament sessions as part of COVID-19 precautions
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun, also known as Art Harun, announced the new limit will begin tomorrow, 6 November, with the tabling of Budget 2021.
In the session this morning, 5 November, he said the 80 MPs will comprise of 41 from the government and 39 from the opposition and independent bench in each session, reported Malay Mail.
The MPs allowed into the House will be chosen by their respective parties.
Art Harun clarified later today that the unequal number of government and opposition MPs is meant to reflect the current composition of the 222-member Parliament
According to The Star, he gave the response after the decision drew criticism on social media and a question was raised by Jelutong MP RSN Rayer who wanted a rationale for the different number of lawmakers from both sides allowed into the hall.
The Dewan Rakyat Speaker also clarified that this limit of 80 MPs will not be enforced when a bloc voting is called
He explained that all MPs will be allowed inside the hall if a divisional vote was called during a session, including the Budget 2021 sitting, but will have their voting time limited to reduce exposure as a large group of people.
"If a bloc vote is called for, then the House bell will be rung for two minutes and a 10-minute period given for all MPs to enter the House and the bell will be rung again for another two minutes before voting is held," he said.
He added that the measures will remain for all sittings in this Parliament session from 9 November to 15 December, following the recent surge in COVID-19 cases nationwide
Among other measures decided to limit exposure to the virus, it was also agreed by all 10 party whips that daily proceedings will be shortened from 10am to 2pm.
However, due to the measures made for sittings today, Bernama reported that the government is now mulling over the proposal to hold Dewan Rakyat sessions virtually.
