Parliament should never be misled, says Bar

PETALING JAYA: The Parliament should never be misled under any circumstances, more so during a global pandemic that has upended and thrown the lives of all those in Malaysia into disarray, says the Malaysian Bar.

It's president A.G. Kalidass said that the role of Parliament underpins the values needed for the functioning of a democracy and must adhere to high standards of integrity when discharging its responsibilities.

He said this duty falls squarely on the shoulders of the Cabinet, members of Parliament and the Speaker of Parliament.

"It is therefore imperative that the Cabinet conveys accurate information during Parliamentary sittings to ensure that Parliament can engage in effective and meaningful debates," he said in a statement on Thursday (July 29).

He also urged Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law Affairs) Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan to offer a full and frank disclosure of what transpired in relation to his announcement of the revocation of the Emergency Ordinances, as this is a matter of great national significance and has a direct impact on the level of trust of Malaysians in our government.

He said that the Cabinet, members of Parliament, and the Speaker of Parliament must discharge their duties with honesty and integrity, being fully transparent and accountable as this was the time when Malaysians needed to be able to trust their Government the most.

"Those in positions of authority must find effective solutions to combat the problems faced by our country, and behave honourably to preserve the lives and livelihoods of its citizens and residents," said Kalidas, adding that those answerable for the imbroglio should take responsibility and be accountable for their actions.

On Monday (July 26), Takiyuddin, who is Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law), told Dewan Rakyat that six out of 13 emergency ordinances had been revoked on July 21.

Following this, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah expressed his disappointment over the announcement of the repeal of the Emergency Ordinance by Takiyuddin in Parliament on July 26, as he had not yet consented to it.

The King had also expressed great dismay that his suggestion that the revocation of the Emergency Ordinances be tabled and debated in Parliament was not implemented.

His Majesty's proposal was agreed upon earlier during a virtual meeting on July 24 with Takiyuddin and Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun.