KUALA LUMPUR: Members of Parliament (MPs) will soon have to undergo compulsory regular health checks to ensure they are fit for duty.
The latest move by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul (pic) comes after a recent scare when Gerik MP Fathul Huzir Ayob suffered breathing difficulties in the august House.
“I had a discussion with the Parliament resident doctor regarding the recent incident, and I am preparing instructions to have all MPs undergo medical tests once every six months.
“The instructions will be coming soon,” he told The Star yesterday.
Johari had previously proposed making it mandatory for all MPs to undergo medical check-ups twice a year.
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On Feb 20, Fathul encountered breathing difficulties five minutes into his debate on the motion of thanks in the Royal Address.He was seen to be in distress as he loosened his tie while debating the motion of thanks.
He looked nervous and spoke in a muffled voice, which made several MPs stand up to express their concern.
He was ordered by Deputy Speaker Ramli Mohd Nor to seek immediate medical attention from the Parliament doctor.
The following day, Fathul assured reporters that he was in good health and claimed to have been merely overwhelmed by emotion during his debate, resulting in breathing difficulties.
Yesterday, Health Deputy Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni also asked MPs to get regular health checks.
Meanwhile, several MPs, including Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, supported Johari’s proposal, even going so far as to say that ministers should also follow suit.
“Yes, I’m all for it. Ministers should also go through a medical check-up every six months.
“It is good practice, especially for those over 40,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Asked if the health check-ups should be made mandatory, he said it should depend on the age of each respective MP.
“I propose that those aged 50 and up have it once every six months, and those aged 40 to 49 have it once a year,” Fadillah said, adding that the Johari ruling should, of course, be subject to recommendations from the Health Ministry.
Perikatan Nasional health portfolio chief Datuk Dr Ahmad Hairi (PN-Kuala Langat) said he supported the proposal for regular health checks for MPs.
“Perikatan won’t have a problem if the proposal is implemented,” he said when contacted.
Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup (BN-Persaingan) also supported the move.
“We have a clinic in Parliament which provides health screenings.
“Perhaps MPs could use that facility for such purposes,” said the Deputy Science Technology and Innovation Minister.
Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (BN-Pontian) said MPs should have discretion on how regular their health screenings should be.
“Such initiatives and efforts should come from each MP,” he said.
Meanwhile, Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) agreed with the proposed move, but said that it should be voluntary.
“I think it should be voluntary because there are no laws or regulations to make it compulsory.
“It would also be strange to force MPs to attend health screenings or to monitor each other so closely,” he said when contacted.
Khoo added that MPs should be “strongly encouraged” to get their health checked.
He said that health screenings are essential because MPs must work tirelessly in their respective constituencies while also spending long hours in Dewan Rakyat.
William Leong (PH-Selayang) said it was a good idea to get MPs to get their health checked regularly.
“Politicians lead an unhealthy lifestyle and are always under tremendous pressure.
“It is good to do some pre-emptive health checks,” he said when contacted.
Datuk Larry Sng Wei Shien (PBM-Julau) also supported Johari’s proposal, but added that it should not be mandatory and that the cost of the health screening should also be subsidised by Parliament.
