DAP’s Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong proposes that Dewan Negara sittings be temporarily moved to underutilised buildings like the old Istana Negara so that Parliament can sit for at least 80 days a year.

It will also mean that there will be no rushing through matters and less late nights.

Liew's suggestion comes as Dewan Rakyat sittings were extended beyond midnight on several days in the last sitting, with critics arguing that this compromises the quality of debate.

Sittings have been cut short to make space for Dewan Negara sittings, as both the lower and upper houses share the same chambers while renovations take place.

Dewan Rakyat only sat for 61 days last year, compared to 79 days in 2008.

This is far shorter compared to the British House of Commons which sat for 162 days in the 2013/14 session, and the Australian parliament which typically sits for 150 days per session, he said.

“One of the reasons given by the government on why sitting days are reduced is that due to the renovation of the Parliament building, the current temporary chamber is shared between Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara.

“I suggested to speaker Pandikar Amin that the government considers using some of the heritage buildings around Kuala Lumpur, for instance, the old Istana Negara, as the venue for Senate sittings, so that both Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara can sit for more days.

“Dewan Rakyat should sit for at least 80 days in 2016,” he said.

Parliament secretariat this week started limiting the number of journalists covering proceedings to three per agency, citing space limitation at the lobby.

Ongoing renovations to the heritage building is expected to be completed in 2018.

However, Liew said this is detrimental to democracy.

Instead of limiting the number of journalists, the Parliament committee should consider building a temporary structure next to the current MPs’ lounge for ministerial staff so journalists need not share the lobby.