I have received notice that the budget session of the 14th Melaka State Assembly previously scheduled for 9 November 2020 has been postponed to 9 December 2020.

The postponement of the state assembly was decided due to the implementation of the Conditional Movement Control Order (“CMCO”) in the state of Melaka which starts from November 9 and ends on December 6, 2020.

The decision to postpone the session seems to be a knee-jerk reaction which is unreasonable and ignores the importance of the legislative system at the state level.

This state assembly sitting is a platform which allows elected representatives to discuss, criticize and give suggestions on all decisions and policies related to the state government. The ability to do this is critical in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic in Melaka.

The last sitting held in May and July this year saw all motions on Covid-19 brought by Pakatan Harapan rejected by the Speaker. Furthermore, this DUN sitting is a presentation session for the 2021 Budget of the state of Melaka.

The 2021 budget of the state of Melaka is said to be able to determine the fate of Melaka because this unsatisfactory economy requires a constructive action plan from the state government.

Although the CMCO is implemented in the state of Selangor, for example, the Selangor state assembly conference is still conducted with the implementation of SOPs such as mandating a ‘swab-test’ for DUN members. Parliament is also running as usual by adopting SOPs aimed at reducing the risk of spreading the Covid-19 outbreak.

If the SOP cannot be implemented in conjunction with the Melaka state assembly sitting, the Melaka state government can choose to hold the sitting online.

The legislative system must be respected and given priority. The Melaka state government can emulate the state of Selangor or Parliament in holding its state assembly and Parliament sittings in conjunction with CMCO.

Kerk Chee Yee
ADUN for Ayer Keroh