KUALA LUMPUR: It was a sight to behold as three members of parliament (MPs) entered the Dewan Rakyat's public gallery prior to voting for the Supply Bill at the committee level.
The men in question, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan and P. Prabakaran (PH-Batu) who are currently undergoing home surveillance order (HSO) had requested to be allowed to attend the Dewan Rakyat sitting briefly for the purpose.
Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun said they would be transported in ambulances from their residence and escorted immediately to a special room in the Parliament upon arrival.
"I was made to understand that there are three people (MPs) who had sought permission to attend (parliament sitting). If allowed, they would be required to wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and enter the public gallery.
"Their votes will be counted, with both the vote counter and observer in charge wearing face visors (in addition to mask). The MPs would then be asked to leave immediately to limit exposure to others," he said earlier in response to query from Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen (PH-Bandar Kuching).
As the bloc voting process was about to commence, several MPs including Datuk Dr Xavier Jayakumar (PH-PKR-Kuala Langat) and Datuk Salahuddin Ayub (PH-Amanah-Pulai) protested and threatened to leave the House, to which Azhar retorted: "Are you scared of the voting?"
In retaliation, several MPs including Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Mohamad Sabu (PH-Amanah-Kota Raja) staged a walk out.
Azhar was responding to protests by opposition MPs who questioned the decision to allow others under home quarantine to be present, raising concerns over potential Covid-19 infection risks.
"There was an MP who turned up (at the Parliament) despite being placed under HSO which we were only made aware later. I'd rather regulate the procedure (for MPs under HSO to come briefly) than stopping them to do so," he said, adding that it was their right to vote.
He said he was merely adhering to SOPs by the Health Ministry and director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
Azhar later announced the Dewan Rakyat approved allocations for the Federal Territories Ministry under the 2021 Budget after a 110-7 vote in favour of the government.
Meanwhile, 31 MPs abstained from voting and 72 were not present.
