KUALA LUMPUR – Amanah’s Datuk Mahfuz Omar is among several opposition lawmakers to question whether Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s Perikatan Nasional administration is waging war against the king and federal constitution.
The Pokok Sena MP also questioned Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun’s position in the lower house, whether his authority supersedes that of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
“I would like to get clarification from the speaker, under Article 150(3) of the constitution, the emergency proclamation must be tabled in both houses of Parliament. This must then be approved by both houses,” said Mahfuz.
“The Agong wanted a debate. He is considered to be a unit in Parliament. So, does this mean that you, the speaker, have authority above the Agong?
“Is that it? Because if this continues, this means that Parliament has waged war against the constitution and is attacking the Agong.”
Instead of Azhar giving a response, Law Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan took the floor on behalf of the government, in a break from parliamentary convention.
When this was pointed out, Azhar defended Takiyuddin’s position, saying the latter was raising a point of order during a pre-briefing session instead of participating in a debate.
The minister, who is also Kota Baru MP, said the special session was called under Article 11 of the constitution, while opposition parliamentarians insisted that under Article 150(3) that touches on the emergency proclamation, everything must be tabled in both the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara for a vote.
At this juncture, the meeting descended into chaos, with lawmakers from both sides firing salvos at one another. Opposition members warned their rivals that the king wants a debate.
“This is not a game! Why is there no voting, no debate? Are you afraid to debate? What kind of minister are you? The Agong instructed us to debate, to come to a decision. Are you committing derhaka towards the Agong?” asked Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo.
Mahfuz reiterated his earlier statement, saying: “Does the government want to wage war against the Agong and constitution? This is criminal!”
His fellow Amanah colleague and Pulai MP Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub accused Azhar of misleading the House over his decision to utilise Standing Order 11(3) instead of following the constitution. – The Vibes, July 26, 2021
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