Azalina raises questions about govt accountability during Emergency period

 

Datuk Seri Azalina Othman. - Filepic/The Star

PETALING JAYA: Questions about the government’s accountability during the Emergency period have been raised by Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

The Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker said that the parliamentary democracy practised in Malaysia upholds the doctrine of separation of powers and cannot be neglected.

“In relation to this, the government’s decision to suspend Parliament through Section 14 of the Emergency Ordinance has directly and indirectly eroded the continuity of the doctrine of the separation of powers and the parliamentary democracy system in the country," said the Pengerang MP.

She said this in a press statement on Wednesday (April 28) containing several questions directed at Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.

Takiyuddin had said that Parliament will only reconvene at a suitable time.

On this, Azalina asked whether it appears that the system of parliamentary democracy no longer exists as the Executive branch is no longer accountable to Parliament.

If the Executive is no longer accountable to Parliament as is in line with parliamentary democracy, then who is the Executive branch accountable to, ” she added.

Takiyuddin had said that Parliament will reconvene before or after the state of emergency is lifted on Aug 1, though the focus for now will be on addressing the Covid-19 pandemic.

He added that while the Emergency is enforced, all parties can still submit their views to the government through appropriate channels such as the Independent Special Committee under the Emergency Ordinance to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

His statement came following calls made by several groups, including Pakatan Harapan and Umno for Parliament to reconvene.

Azalina, however, said parties were not meant to channel their views to the Independent Special Committee, as its function was different from Parliament’s.

She said that Parliament is the highest legislative body for the Federal Government to pass and amend laws.

Azalina added that Parliament serves to examine and question government policies through oral questions, special chambers, and Minister’s Question Time as well as to pass the government budget and new tax proposals.

“On the other hand, the Independent Special Committee is merely responsible to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as to whether or not the Emergency should continue," she said.

“Even if views should be channelled to the committee, doesn’t YB Kota Baru (Takiyuddin) think that new terms for this arrangement should be introduced or amended so that the process of channeling these views can be carried out, ” she added.

Azalina also said that the proceedings of the committee's meetings are not readily accessible to MPs and the public.

She added that Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Wong Kah Woh had recently stated that the proceedings of the PAC and Parliamentary Select Committees have also been suspended.

“Would YB Kota Baru’s latest statement now supersede the findings of the Attorney General and mean that PAC activities can now continue? In line with that, does this also mean that the Parliamentary Select Committees can also now continue?” she said. - Star