Calling it a “missed opportunity”, its president AG Kalidas questioned why hybrid parliamentary sittings were not agreed and voted upon earlier, adding that such alternative arrangements are crucial as the country is currently facing a rise in Covid-19 cases.

Dewan Rakyat secretary Nizam Mydin Bacha Mydin yesterday said Monday’s sitting would be postponed following a risk assessment by the health ministry, which detected 11 positive Covid-19 cases after 1,183 samples had been taken.

“The failure of Parliament to introduce a motion on hybrid measures, as well as to adopt them, means that Parliament sittings will continue to be postponed. This is a hindrance to democracy,” Kalidas said in a statement today.

“Parliament could have employed hybrid mechanisms and appropriate SOPs early on to safeguard the health of all those present as well as the Parliament support staff during the sittings.

“The Malaysian Bar considers the deferment of the discussion on hybrid sittings of Parliament as a missed opportunity. This should have been addressed right at the beginning.”

Kalidas added that Parliament is well equipped with the technological tools to innovate and adapt to hybrid sessions.

He stressed that the postponement of the Dewan Rakyat sitting tomorrow reflected negatively on those in positions of power, noting that this was especially so when there were matters of significant national importance that needed to be deliberated upon immediately.

The postponement of tomorrow’s sitting came after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had expressed his displeasure over the government’s announcement that the Cabinet had decided to revoke the emergency ordinances, saying he had not given his consent.

The Dewan Rakyat erupted into chaos with calls for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to resign, and the day’s sitting was suspended four times on Thursday.

It was then adjourned for MPs and parliamentary staff to be tested for Covid-19.