Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad may have been instrumental in reducing the powers of the rulers, but even he believes that the National Security Council bill will only usurp the powers of the Agong.
“Now the Agong’s powers have been transferred to him (Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak).
“With such powers, he can declare an emergency, claiming that there is a supposed security risk,” said Mahathir at an event in Senawang today.
Mahathir was commenting on the highly criticised bill which was passed in Parliament on Thursday night.
The country’s longest serving premier added that the bill, if passed, could be used to arrest anyone the government considers to have ‘sabotaged’ the country.
“But they forget that if they lose the general election and the opposition becomes the government, they (opposition) will arrest all of them,” he said, to applause from the audience.
Special powers
Under Article 150 of the federal constitution, only the Agong can declare an emergency.
The NSC bill will also allow the prime minister to declare any area a security area. It will also provide special powers to security forces deployed to a security area.
It will make the NSC the government's central authority for considering matters concerning national security.
Meanwhile, commenting on Najib’s supporters, Mahathir pointed out how they still supported Najib even though they know he is in the wrong.
“When the opposition is in power, these people will be jailed. These people know that Najib committed crimes but they still support him, they even hide facts and evidence.
“Today Najib is in power so it’s okay. But these people who support Najib today, will get what they deserve when Najib loses,” he said. -Mkini
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