Dewan Rakyat speaker's 'rejection of motions on emergency an abuse'

 

Pakatan Harapan has decried Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun's decision to reject five motions by the opposition, which among others, called for a debate on the emergency and its annulment.

Harapan's law committee, in a statement, said the government appeared bent on avoiding any kind of vote and Azhar (above) seemed to be aiding them.

"We are of the view that the Dewan Rakyat speaker's decision is a form of abuse of power and proves that he is incapable of acting independently in ensuring that Parliament plays its function as a check and balance against the executive.

"His actions prove that he is only a tool of the executive, which only carries out their agenda.

"It is very clear from the Dewan Rakyat speaker's action that the Perikatan Nasional government is desperately trying to avoid any vote in the Dewan Rakyat and the Dewan Rakyat speaker is acting as a government agent to ensure that no vote will take place during the special sitting," Harapan said in a statement.

The five-day Dewan Rakyat special sitting, which begins today, will mostly see ministers providing a briefing to the MPs.

The sitting was convened after pressure from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, but no substantive debate is on the agenda.

The rejected motions were filed by Port Dickson MP Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the opposition leader, and Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham.

Ordinances to have effect for six more months if not repealed

They had, among others, called for the emergency ordinances to be debated and their repeal voted on.

If the ordinances are not repealed, they will continue to have effect for another six months after the emergency expires.

The Harapan law committee said Azhar had erred when he used Standing Order 11(3) of the Dewan Rakyat to reject the motions.

The standing order states that the businesses set down for a special parliamentary sitting shall be appointed by the prime minister.

Furthermore, they said the move went against the wishes of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Conference of Rulers for Parliament to play its check and balance role against the government.

The Harapan panel's statement was jointly endorsed by its members comprising William Leong (Selayang-PKR), Mohamed Hanipa Maidin (Amanah-Sepang), Ramkarpal Singh (Bukit Gelugor-DAP), R Sivarasa (Sungai Buloh-PKR), Muhammad Faiz Fadzil (Permatang Pasir-Amanah), Fadhlina Sidek (PKR) and Zulqarnain Lukman (Amanah).

The PN government has a four-vote majority. Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had on July 8 announced that Umno, with 38 MPs, was withdrawing its support for the government.

Many of the MPs have rebelled against Zahid but he only needs five MPs to defeat the government in any vote. - Mkini