Parliament to debate dengue situation
Published: Jan 18, 2005 2:22 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
The special Parliament sitting has set aside an hour to debate a motion on dengue fever, as more than 1,000 people have been diagnosed with the mosquito-borne disease in a week.
The dengue fever outbreak has been deemed an urgent issue that warrants debate in Parliament, which is currently sitting to debate constitutional amendments.
The special Parliament sitting has set aside an hour to debate a motion on dengue fever, as more than 1,000 people have been diagnosed with the mosquito-borne disease in a week.
According to Bernama, the motion moved by Dr Raman Ismail (BN-Gombak) was accepted for debate by Parliament Deputy Speaker Lim Si Cheng as it fulfils the three criteria - a specific issue, urgent and of public interest - under Article 18.1 of the Standing Order.
Lim decided the special sitting would be adjourned at 4.30pm today to debate the motion for 30 minutes, with the government given 30 minutes to respond to points raised.
In tabling the motion, Raman said the disease has reportedly hit a serious level, especially in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Pahang.
"The epidemic not only leads to pain and death, but also results in income losses to patients and poses a burden to the economy," he said when moving the motion on the second and final day of the special proceedings convened to debate and pass the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2004.
The Bill seeks to amend the Ninth Schedule to the Federal Constitution to make water supplies and services and preservation of heritage as concurrent matters between the state and federal governments.
It also seeks to increase the retirement age of Federal Court, Appeals Court and High Court judges from 65 to 66.
Raman said dengue fever is a specific issue as it requires treatment in hospital and may result in death to people of all ages.
"Many people living in the epidemic areas have become victims of dengue fever because this is a vector-borne disease," he said.
"This is also of public interest because if left unchecked at the early stage, the disease will spread throughout the country. The situation needs to be addressed urgently."
According to Bernama, the motion moved by Dr Raman Ismail (BN-Gombak) was accepted for debate by Parliament Deputy Speaker Lim Si Cheng as it fulfils the three criteria - a specific issue, urgent and of public interest - under Article 18.1 of the Standing Order.
Lim decided the special sitting would be adjourned at 4.30pm today to debate the motion for 30 minutes, with the government given 30 minutes to respond to points raised.
In tabling the motion, Raman said the disease has reportedly hit a serious level, especially in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Pahang.
"The epidemic not only leads to pain and death, but also results in income losses to patients and poses a burden to the economy," he said when moving the motion on the second and final day of the special proceedings convened to debate and pass the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2004. The Bill seeks to amend the Ninth Schedule to the Federal Constitution to make water supplies and services and preservation of heritage as concurrent matters between the state and federal governments.
It also seeks to increase the retirement age of Federal Court, Appeals Court and High Court judges from 65 to 66.
Raman said dengue fever is a specific issue as it requires treatment in hospital and may result in death to people of all ages.
"Many people living in the epidemic areas have become victims of dengue fever because this is a vector-borne disease," he said.
"This is also of public interest because if left unchecked at the early stage, the disease will spread throughout the country. The situation needs to be addressed urgently."
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