Independent special committee on Emergency is not 'shifting the goal post', says Takiyuddin

PETALING JAYA: The government is not "shifting the goal post" to influence the duration of the Emergency by forming an independent special committee to advise the King on the matter, says Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.

The de facto Law Minister said the Cabinet is instead “correcting the rules of the game to support the referee in making a fair decision".

“To achieve goals does not mean to change the goal post," he said in a tweet on Sunday (June 13).

He said this in response to Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said who questioned the need for such a committee after Takiyuddin had stated that it is the Cabinet that would advise the King on the extension to the Emergency.

“If that’s the case, what’s the point of forming an Independent Special Committee to advise the YDPA under Sec 2(1) of the Emergency Ordinance 2021? Stop shifting the goal post!!! @takiyuddin61, ” Azalina had tweeted on Saturday (June 12).

Takiyuddin had in a statement on Saturday said it was the responsibility of the Cabinet to continue advising the King as the head of state in making a decision on the state of Emergency and whether it should be extended.

He also said that this was in line with the responsibility and policy of the government to continue focusing on specific and appropriate actions to prevent, combat and reduce the risk of the Covid-19 infection rate among the people more effectively.