Dewan Rakyat passes revocation of emergency ordinances

 

The Dewan Rakyat approved the motion to revoke the emergency ordinances as provided for in Article 150 (3) of the Federal Constitution today.

It was passed unanimously with a voice vote.

The emergency, intended to curb the Covid-19 pandemic, was first declared in January and expired in August this year.

This motion had previously been delayed since July after Putrajaya and Istana Negara came into conflict on how to wind down the emergency.

In July, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong refused to consent to the revocation and instead wanted the matter to go through a debate in Parliament.

Then prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, whose majority in the Dewan Rakyat was uncertain at the time, had adamantly resisted any vote in the house.

He resigned as the prime minister on Aug 16.

His successor Ismail Sabri Yaakob is now complying with the Agong’s desire for the revocation of the emergency ordinances to be debated.

The debate – in which 20 MPs had participated – was wrapped up today, with the ministers’ winding-up speeches starting around 4.15pm and ending around 5.15pm. - Mkini