'Only Agong qualified to declare place security area'

PARLIAMENT The most qualified person to declare a security area under the National Security Council Bill 2015 (NSC Bill) is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as he is above politics, a BN Senator from Sabah said.

The powers given to the prime minister on this matter should instead be given to the Agong, United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) Senator Lucas Umbul said today.

Citing Section 18 of the NSC Bill, which allows the prime minister to declare any area as security area for a maximum of six months, Lucas said this power should instead be given to the federal ruler.

"Such extensive powers should be given to a qualified person who is above politics. I mean that person should be the Yang di-Pertuan Agong," he said when debating on the NSC Bill at the policy stage in the Dewan Negara.

The bill has created a wrong impression that the executive will be taking away the powers of the Agong, who traditionally holds the power to declare a state of emergency, according to him.

Lucas is the second BN senator calling for the removal of powers for the prime minister to declare a place as a security area. Yesterday, Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) president Senator Sim Kui Hian made a similar demand.

Lucas also indirectly concurred with his colleague and Malaysian Senators Council (MSM) president Abdul Rahim Abdul Rahman that the bill may be unconstitutional.

'Constitution the highest law'

"The Federal Constitution is the highest law in the country. All laws formulated must be confined to the constitution. Failure to so will bring criticism that (the government has) violated the constitution. There will be attempts to shame and sabotage the image of politics and the laws," he said.

"A few controversial aspects need to be amended and improved without ignoring the objective of the bill. This includes fundamental rights as enshrined in the constitution."

A total of 19 senators are debating the NSC Bill in its second reading today. The Upper House will seek to pass the bill at the committee stage today - which is the last day of the sitting of Parliament.

Voicing the opposite to Lucas’ argument was MCA Senator Chia Soong Cheng, who said the NSC Bill does not contravene the Federal Constitution and thus should be fully supported by the House.

"I see that we can support the bill fully, given that Dewan Rakyat has passed the bill. This bill does not contravene the Federal Constitution," Chia said in his debate.

The bill also does not take away the power of the ruler or the state governments, he argued. -Mkini