KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 (Sin Chew Daily) — The spacious Parliament House offers plenty of room for journalists to maintain social distancing in compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) while providing news coverage, says The Editors' Association (Chinese Medium) Malaysia.

Hence, the association urges the Parliament to review the decision of limiting 15 media organizations covering the parliamentary sitting in November, when the Budget 2021 will be tabled.

"We agree that the COVID-19 pandemic should be accorded with full attention, but the Parliament should not go overboard by limiting the number of media organizations," it said.

In a statement, The Editors' Association (Chinese Medium) Malaysia said at this critical moment, the government would need all media to disseminate the latest updates on COVID-19 and preventive measures to the ground.

The association stressed that all media should be given access to the Parliament, which is a a legislative entity. Apart from tabling Budget 2021 in the coming parliamentary sitting, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin may have to deal with the no-confidence motion tabled by members of parliament from the opposition. The Parliament's decision of limiting the number of media organizations has denied the public access to balanced and fair information.

"Such a decision could constitute discrimination and intervention in press freedom. It is also a disrespect for the Parliament and people," it said.

The association pointed out that the pandemic should not be reason to limit press coverage.