Opposition MPs file motions to refer Takiyuddin to Parliament committee

Gobind Singh Deo (left) and Mohamed Hanipa Maidin.

KUALA LUMPUR: Two opposition lawmakers have filed motions to refer Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan to the Parliament's Rights and Privileges committee for allegedly misleading the Parliament over the revoked Emergency Ordinances.

Gobind Singh Deo (PH-Puchong) said he and Mohamed Hanipa Maidin (PH-Sepang) had filed the motions regarding the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) based on what had transpired on Monday (July 26) in Parliament.

"I want the Speaker to make a ruling regarding this and whether we will be allowed to debate the motion," he said in Parliament on Wednesday (July 28).

On Monday, Takiyuddin told Parliament during the first day of its five-day special sitting that the Federal Government has decided to revoke all Emergency Ordinances made during the nationwide Emergency Proclamation which started on Jan 12.

He had said that the revocation was made based on Article 150(3) of the Federal Constitution.

A total of six Emergency Ordinances that were gazetted were revoked on July 21.

Takiyuddin had added that the government would not be advising the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to declare a fresh Emergency Proclamation once the present nation-wide state of Emergency ends on Aug 1.

To this, Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon said that the motion has yet to be accepted by the Speaker's office.

Gobind then stood up, and clarified that he had received the acknowledgement that the motion had been received.

"I went to file it myself this morning. Again, I would like to get a ruling on this and whether we will be allowed to debate the motion," he said.

Hanipa said that he had also filed his motion on Tuesday (July 27) and similarly received an acknowledgement.

"Normally, when we file such a motion, it will be decided immediately by the Speaker. If we are unhappy with the Speaker's decision we can appeal it within 48 days,” said Hanipa.

"However, you (Rashid) were also actively involved in asking the minister to give his reply next Monday. Now, I want to ask for a ruling as to whether it is acceptable for you to make a ruling on my motion or just let the Dewan to debate and decide on the motion I filed," he added.

Several other opposition lawmakers also stood up and appealed to the Speaker to allow for the motion to be debated urgently in the Dewan Rakyat.

Mohd Rashid then explained that the motion had been submitted by the respective MPs and he would let Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun to decide on the matter.

"I have to refer this matter to the Speaker," he said.