Parliament to debate and approve all Emergency Ordinances introduced during the pandemic

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will table a motion to debate and approve all the Emergency Ordinances in the Dewan Rakyat, which was introduced during the Emergency period, according to the parliamentary order paper.

The motion, which was expected to be tabled by the Prime Minister, stated that it was in line with Article 150 (3) of the Federal Constitution.

"In accordance to Article 150 (3) of the constitution, the proclaimation of Emergency and any other ordinances declared under Article 150 (2B) must be tabled in both houses of Parliament," it said in the order paper on Monday (Oct 11).

Malaysia was placed under a state of emergency from Jan 12 to Aug 1 to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The parliament was reconvened for five-days starting July 26, to brief MPs on the National Recovery Plan and to pave way for a proposed virtual sitting but it was overshadowed by the revocation of the ordinances.

The former minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan told Parliament during the first day of its five-day special sitting that the Federal government had also decided, based on Article 150(3) of the Federal Constitution, to revoke all Emergency Ordinances made during the nationwide state of emergency which started on Jan 12 this year.

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

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.

However, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah expressed disappointment over the statement made during the special Parliament sitting that the government has revoked the six Emergency Ordinances introduced during the State of Emergency period without consent.

The King also wanted the government to table the ordinances in Parliament in accordance with the constitution.