Parliament: Who is given the power to revoke Emergency Ordinances? MPs insist on answers

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun facing the brunt of discontent from MPs who insisted on answers on the revocation of the Emergency Ordinances without following the procedures of the Parliament. Pix captured from RTM screening of Parliament session.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 – When it is clear that the Yang Dipertuan Agung or King has the power to decide on the proclamation or revocation of an Emergency Ordinance, why has it not been clear if the King had given the go-ahead for the revocation of the Emergency Ordinances said to be done on July 21 but announced in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday, July 26?

Under which law, was the decision made, asked MP for Puchong Gobind Singh Deo on the second day of the special Parliament sitting (July 26 – August 2) who insisted that an answer be provided at the Dewan Rakyat by today.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim MP for Port Dickson and Ram Karpal MP Bukit Gelugor also insisted for an answer from Law Minister, Takiyuddin Haji Hassan ( MP Kota Bharu), saying that the reply from Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun that the Minister will answer on Monday was not acceptable.

There has been much confusion not only in the Dewan Rakyat but also outside where the Rakyat are unsure on how to handle any offences related to the said ordinances that have been revoked, the MPs said.

Anwar also went on to ask if the Speaker was preventing the minister from answering, citing the minster’s remarks yesterday that he was ready to answer but the Speaker had stopped him from speaking.

He also suggested that perhaps no approval had been received yet to revoke the Emergency Ordinances.

“So the Speaker must allow him to speak. If this cannot be done, then the Parliament is in a big problem,” Anwar said.

Despite pleas from a significant number of MPs, including Lim Guan Eng (Bagan), Shafie Apdal (Semporna), the Speaker ended this particular question and answer session saying that an answer will be given on Monday.

— WE