Dodging simple question on EOs highlights PN’s credibility woes, say analysts

 

Two analysts say there is suspicion that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has yet to give his consent to the revocation of the emergency ordinances.

PETALING JAYA: The government is highlighting the credibility and legitimacy issues it faces by refusing to disclose whether the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has consented to the revocation of the emergency ordinances (EOs), two analysts have observed.

Speaking to FMT, Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs and Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said a suspicion that the King had yet to give his consent was unavoidable.

Oh said the refusal to “give a simple answer to a simple question” had “raised more questions”.

Awang Azman said there was now speculation that the King had yet to approve of the revocation.

On Monday, law minister Takiyuddin Hassan told the Dewan Rakyat that the government had, on July 21, revoked all EOs under Article 153 of the Federal Constitution. Several MPs asked whether the King had consented to the annulment. The question remains unanswered.

Oh said this was an important question because the revocation should be with the King’s consent since the EOs were proclaimed in his name.

Oh Ei Sun.

He also said the act of revoking the EOs before the sitting of the Dewan Rakyat meant the government did not want it to be voted on and this was probably because of the question surrounding Perikatan Nasional’s majority.

“If the government does not have a majority, it will confirm suspicions that it is a minority government and its credibility and legitimacy to rule will be severely affected,” he said.

Awang Azman said the EOs should have been debated on and repealed only after a vote in Parliament.

“A failure to gain support for the repeal of the EOs in the Dewan Rakyat will expose the fact that the government does not enjoy majority support,” he said.

Awang Azman Pawi.

He also said the failure to reveal whether the King had a role in the revocation had dealt another blow to the government’s credibility.

“It will be seen as trying to mislead MPs and disrespecting the King and the Malay rulers, especially if it had not received the King’s consent at the time the announcement was made,” he said.

“The government’s image is tarnished. Even if it now shows that the King has given his approval, the perception that it announced the revocation of the EOs without the King’s consent will stick.” - FMT