
Speaker Azhar Harun had called for a voice vote following Covid-19 fears in both the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara.
De facto law minister Takiyuddin Hassan said the decision to end the sitting at 1pm was in accordance with Standing Order 12 (1).
Azhar said an aide to a senator had tested positive for Covid-19 “but they are not in Parliament”.
However, Mahfuz Omar (PH-Pokok Sena) said Parliament must clear the air on the number of staff members affected, adding that Takiyuddin said yesterday several of them contracted the virus.
Maszlee Malik (Ind-Singgam Rengam) asked if the offices of the staff members concerned had been sanitised.
Xavier Jayakumar (PH-Kuala Langat) also asked if the senator’s aide who tested positive was quarantined immediately.
Azhar asked the floor to “be calm as everyone here is negative”. He said a statement will be issued on the matter.
Takiyuddin also said that under Standing Order 90(2), the Dewan Rakyat’s Special Chambers will only be open from 10am to 11.30am from today to Thursday.