MPs to undergo mandatory health checks

ALL MPs will have to undergo mandatory health checks by Oct 31 this year, says Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.

“The health examination is mandatory. I myself have personally witnessed 11 MPs collapsing over the past 15 years. So I ask that all MPs take this matter seriously,” he said during the debate on the mid-term review of the 12th Malaysia Plan.

In the letter sent by the Speaker to MPs which was sighted by The Star, he said action will be taken if MPs fail to undergo the health screening.

He added information related to the check-ups will be kept confidential and records will be kept in the Parliament health clinic, adding that only the medical officer from the Parliament clinic will have access to the records.

MPs are also required to undergo health checks at least once a year or more, based on the advice of their physicians.

However, the letter, which was sent to the MPs on Tuesday, did not state the form of action that may be taken.

Johari said MPs will have to undergo the health checks at the Parliament House clinic, government clinics or private clinics listed in the notice.

“All MPs will have to undergo their mandatory health checks by Oct 31,” he added.

The Dewan Rakyat is currently in session for a six-day special meeting from Sept 11 to Sept 19. The next meeting is scheduled to be held from Oct 9 to Nov 30.

Johari had previously proposed making it mandatory for all MPs to undergo medical check-ups twice a year.

Since the 2018 general election, four MPs have died – mostly from heart attacks.