PETALING JAYA: Despite concerns arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, the parliament will convene for its first sitting this year as scheduled.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Parliamentary Affairs) Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan confirmed that the sitting would go on as planned on the fixed dates, beginning May 18.

He said the necessary preparations were currently being done, with several precautions to be taken.

“In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the parliament is drafting several measures that have to be taken as preparation for the coming sitting.

“It will also take into consideration phase two of the nationwide movement control order (MCO) and the enhanced MCO in several areas,” he said in a statement today.

“The government’s main concern is to ensure the safety of all rakyat, including the parliamentarians, are guaranteed,” he added.

Takiyuddin urged all quarters to cooperate with Parliament staff who would be on duty during the sitting, as well as adhering to all orders from the authorities.

His statement comes amid concerns that Parliament might be postponed further in light of the virus outbreak.

The first sitting was originally scheduled to take place beginning March 9, but was pushed back by two months after the political upheaval which saw Perikatan Nasional coming into federal power in place of Pakatan Harapan.

The Dewan Rakyat will sit for 15 days between May 18 and June 23, with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong expected to open the sitting.