KUALA LUMPUR – Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa is calling Umno secretary-general Datuk Ahmad Maslan out over a letter the latter issued to the party's MPs, calling on them to agree on a special parliamentary session to be held regarding the emergency proclamation.
In a letter issued to Ahmad that he subsequently uploaded on his Twitter account early this morning, the Ketereh MP advised Ahmad to consult constitutional experts prior to obtaining the Umno MPs' consent.
"The Umno sec-gen wrote to the MPs and gave us less than 24 hours to express agreement to urge the YDP Agong to convene a parliamentary session, allegedly under Article 150 (3) of the federal constitution.
"It is good for the Umno sec-gen to consult constitutional experts to look smarter in legal matters," Annuar tweeted.
SUA UMNO menulis kpd MP dan memberi masa kurang dari 24 jam utk menyatakan persetujuan menggesa YDP AGONG memanggil sidang parlimen,kononnya di bawah perkara 150(3) PP.
— Annuar Musa (@AnnuarMusa) January 19, 2021
Elok SUAU itu rujuk constitutional expert supaya kelihatan lebih cerdik hal undang undang..
Ini jawapan saya.. pic.twitter.com/rVwVuQbATd
Annuar also described the move by Ahmad as a clear attempt to work with the opposition, an insult to the party's directive and what amounts to disobeying the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Ahmad’s actions and intention, Annuar opined, could be interpreted as treasonous as the proclamation of emergency issued by the king, upon recommendation by the Perikatan Nasional government, is constitutional.
“Umno/Barisan Nasional MPs and other MPs cannot petition the king to undo what is constitutionally done. There are no legal provisions for us to do so. There is no legal leg for us to stand on. Our actions are doomed to fail.
“The letter is a violation of organisational ethics, an insult to the party’s decision and can be interpreted as an attempt to disobey the Agong,” Annuar said in the letter.
The letter by Ahmad, who is also Pontian MP, called on Umno and BN MPs to push for a Parliament meeting to debate the constitutionality of the emergency proclamation under Article 150 (3) of the federal constitution.
The article states that a proclamation of emergency should be laid before both houses of Parliament and shall cease to have effect if resolutions are passed by both houses annulling such a proclamation or ordinance.
However, Annuar, in his letter, said that Ahmad had misinterpreted Article 150 (3), stating that it is not meant to question the legitimacy of the emergency proclamation.
Ahmad's move, Annuar added, also goes against the original stand taken by Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who initially supported the declaration of the emergency.
In accusing Ahmad of conspiring with opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also working on the same cause, Annuar also called for the letter to be retracted.
“As such, I ask Ahmad to withdraw the letter. I do not agree at all with the action that is unconstitutional and conflicts with the party's decision.” – The Vibes, January 19, 2021
