PM: Parliament will reconvene in September or October once Covid-19 is under control

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has given his commitment that Parliament will reconvene in September or October, subject to strict standard operating procedures (SOP).

In his special address on the National Recovery Plan on Tuesday (June 15), Muhyiddin said that his stand has been consistent and that Parliament can reconvene once the Covid-19 situation simmers down.

"I want to give a commitment here that the Parliament session can be held in this phase, which is around September or October, subject to tight SOPs.

"This has always been my stand from the start – that the Parliamentary democracy system can function once Covid-19 cases are under control and we achieve herd immunity status," he said.

Muhyiddin also said he will continue upholding the principles of Parliamentary Democracy and the Constitutional Monarchy.

"Let there be no groups who will purposely try to stir anxiety and confusion among the rakyat, which will impede the government's main duty in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic," he added.

Pakatan Harapan and Umno have called for Parliament to reconvene, as they cited the need for the Dewan Rakyat to sit amidst the worsening Covid-19 pandemic in order to better address bread-and-butter issues concerning the rakyat.

Parliament has been suspended since the Emergency was proclaimed earlier this year to combat the surge in Covid-19 cases.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin also said that Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan would commence once daily Covid-19 cases are below 500 cases per day and when 60% of the population have completed their vaccinations.

"Based on estimates on the implementation of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Plan, this shift is expected to be implemented as early as the end of October this year."

Phase Four, said Muhyiddin, is the final phase of the National Recovery Plan, where life will return to normalcy once again.

"All economic sectors will be opened and more social activities will be allowed. Interstate travel will be allowed and domestic travel will be opened subject to strict SOPs.

"This phase will be implemented when Covid-19 cases are low, the national healthcare system is at a safe level and the vaccination programme have achieved herd immunity status by the end of the year," he said.