The Malaysian Insight

PERIKATAN Nasional MPs today urged Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun to act against Batu lawmaker P. Prabakaran (Pakatan Harapan) for allegedly violating a home-stay order (HSO) to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

They said Prabakaran was in the Dewan Rakyat last Thursday to vote on the Communications and Multimedia Ministry’s budget allocation when he was supposed to be quarantined at home.

Segamat MP Edmund Santhara (PN) told the Dewan Rakyat today he learnt that Prabakaran was present in the house when he was supposed to be under the HSO after his brother tested positive for Covid-19.

Arau MP Shahidan Kassim (BN) took up the issue further saying this was not a light matter.

“He has endangered us. This can cause an outbreak among parliament members.

“This is an extraordinary violation. I urge the speaker to refer him to the Rights and Privileges Committee,” said Shahidan.

Azhar earlier said the matter is out of his jurisdiction when it was first raised by Putrajaya MP Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor (BN).

“The power to punish or compound anyone for breaking the Health Ministry or the Defence Ministry’s orders on Covid-19 does not come under the speaker’s jurisdiction.

“I advise those who want to take up this matter further to do so with the relevant authorities,” Azhar said.

Shahidan, however, pressed the issue: “The punishment from the Health Ministry is a separate matter. Parliament should bring this to the Rights and Privileges Committee.”

Noh Omar (BN-Tanjung Karang) supported Shahidan, saying MPs have immunity where no one can take action against them, only Parliament.

Azhar said he will look into this matter.

Gopeng MP Dr Lee Boon Chye (PH) came to Prabakaran’s defence.

“Not all family members are considered close contacts. Just because his (Prabakaran) brother was Covid-19 positive, it does not mean he is automatically infected.

Prabakaran was one of the MPs under quarantine who came for the Budget 2021 vote in personal protective equipment (PPE) under permission from the Health Ministry.

The other two MPs who also turned up were Health Minister Dr Adham Baba (Tenggara-PN) and Human Resources Minister M. Saravanan (Tapah-BN). – December 17, 2020.