KUALA LUMPUR – Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said has rejected a proposal by Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan that a special parliamentary sitting be convened, with regard to the proclamation of emergency.
In the letter dated yesterday, Ahmad, who is Pontian MP, sought the cooperation of Barisan Nasional MPs to submit an agreement for the implementation of Article 150(3) of the federal constitution to hold a parliamentary session as soon as possible, with regard to the emergency proclamation, and asked them to reply before 12.30pm today.
Azalina, whose reply to Ahmad has gone viral on social media, said as the deputy speaker, she prioritises and holds firm to the principles of parliamentary democracy, but added that there are legitimate legal issues that need to be considered in depth before she could give her consent.
“More so because the issue touches on the power and discretion of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah under the federal constitution.”
She said she has taken note that several court cases had previously ruled that the king’s decision to proclaim an emergency could not be challenged, as it is provided for under Article 150(8) of the federal constitution.
Although the proclamation could not be challenged, Azalina did provide other alternatives in her letter, including a suggestion to form a special bipartisan committee to advise the king on matters pertaining to the people’s rights and freedom under the federal constitution.
She said the formation of the Perikatan Nasional presidential council last year could also be a channel for Umno members to voice their input, including raising any objection regarding government policies during the emergency and reinstated movement control order.
Azalina, who is Pengerang MP, said other countries that have declared an emergency to curb the spread of Covid-19 had done early preparations, including amending rules to allow for Parliament sittings to be held online.
“This was not done in Malaysia in our previous session.”
She also stressed that Article 14(1) of the ordinance, which the Agong proclaimed recently, provided that Parliament could only be convened at a time deemed fit by the king.
“As such, I feel that the possibility of His Majesty calling for a parliamentary sitting in the near future, or cancelling the emergency, is very slim.
“Based on these reasons, I respectfully reject and disagree with the application for consent on the issue as requested by the Pontian MP.” – Bernama, January 19, 2021
