Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at Parliament on July 29, 2021. – Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR (July 29): The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) today maintained that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and de facto law minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan had observed and followed all the due processes under the Federal Constitution when announcing the revocation of the Emergency Ordinances (EOs) on Monday.
In a statement today, it said Muhyiddin had written a letter to the Agong on July 23 advising the ruler to revoke the EOs, and again in an audience on July 27.
The government is of the view that all these actions taken are orderly and in accordance with the provisions of the law and the Federal Constitution,” the statement read.
It pointed to Articles 40(1) and 40(1A) of the Constitution stating that the Agong, while exercising his constitutional functions or functions under federal law, is to accept and act in accordance with the Cabinet’s advice or the advice of a minister acting under the general authority of Cabinet, except otherwise provided by the Federal Constitution.
The PMO said that on July 24, the King had summoned Takiyuddin and Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun to provide a detailed explanation with regards to the Cabinet’s advice, adding that on July 26, all of the EOs were laid in the Dewan Rakyat, in line with Article 150(3) of the Federal Constitution.
It also suggested that the confusion came after Opposition MPs urged for the Dewan Rakyat annul the EOs.
“Subsequently, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) as the minister responsible for legal affairs, informed the Members of the House of Representatives that the government, namely the Cabinet, had decided to repeal the Emergency Ordinances.
“This is a statement of fact that aims to inform the Dewan Rakyat of the actual situation in a transparent manner,” it said.
Earlier today, the King expressed his deep disappointment at Takiyuddin’s assertion in Parliament that the EOs have been revoked despite him not giving his assent yet.
Istana Negara’s statement resulted in an uproar inside the Dewan Rakyat earlier today leading to a long break, with the sitting ultimately cut short following announcement that two more of those in the hall were positive with Covid-19. – MalayMail