Anwar blasts arbitrary revoking of Emergency Ordinances, asks govt if King consented

PETALING JAYA: Opposition lawmakers have taken the government to task for revoking all Emergency Ordinances without first taking the matter to Parliament.

They also asked if the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has even consented to the revocation.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said a major policy decision such as this should be tabled in Parliament so that lawmakers could deliberate and decide on it, but that did not happen.

"My question is, was this decision to revoke the Emergency Ordinances presented to Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and did it receive the King's consent?

"I'm asking for an explanation because if this did not happen, the announcement (of revocation) cannot be made as it is tantamount to insulting the institution of the Malay Rulers," he said.

"The Prime Minister and the relevant minister should take responsibility for revoking the Emergency Ordinances but sidelining the royal institution by not getting the King's consent," Anwar, who is Port Dickson MP, said on Monday (July 26).

This came following the announcement by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Parliament) Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan that the government has revoked the Emergency Ordinances on July 21 and that it has no plans to advise the King to extend the nationwide state of emergency beyond Aug 1.

Anwar also said the government was not transparent in revoking the Ordinances, with neither Parliament nor the public informed beforehand.

"Is this a pasar malam where announcements can just be made willy-nilly?

"If the role of Parliament could not be respected in such a major decision such as revoking the Ordinances, then you can imagine whether the other matters that we discuss in Parliament will be accorded any respect," he said.

Anwar also drew attention to Article 150(3) of the Federal Constitution which states among other things that Parliament may pass a resolution to annul the Proclamation of Emergency and the Ordinances.