KUALA LUMPUR (July 27): Despite mounting requests by members of Parliament (MPs) from the opposition bloc, de facto Law Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said he will answer questions on the revocation of all six Emergency Ordinances that were promulgated during the emergency next Monday (Aug 2), based on the guidance given by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun.

As the special Parliament sitting commenced for the second day today, Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo was the first to stand up for a point of order, questioning whether the decision to revoke the Emergency Ordinances had been assented to by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

He cited case laws to point to the judgement that the power to revoke, similar to the power to issue the Proclamation of Emergency, vests in the King.

"To me, this is a very important question and is an issue that involves the public interest, because we want to know whether or not what happened on July 21 was approved by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and whether it was done in accordance with the procedure set out in the Federal Constitution," Gobind, who is a practising lawyer, said.

"If they have been revoked, why were we not informed? Why isn't it put on our tables so that we can know specifically when it was revoked, who made the decision, whether it was done in accordance with the rules, and the effect on the ordinances, especially to the general public out there," he added.

In moderating the session, Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman said as an MP, she also has the same questions for the government to answer.

"But since we are in parliamentary democracy, I was informed by the Speaker that the law minister will give an explanation and answer this matter next Monday. I cannot overrule what had been decided by the Speaker," she said.

Sepang MP Mohamed Hanipa Maidin also asked if the decision to revoke the emergency ordinances was assented by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, there was no evidence that they were gazetted.

"This means that the status of these laws now is that they have not been revoked, so what is the effect on the cases that are in court? This creates uncertainty, and it's not good for the country," he said.

Besides Hanipa and Gobind, other MPs who stood up to question the revocation of the emergency ordinances included Ipoh Barat MP M Kula Segaran, Jelutong MP RSN Rayer, Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil and others.  

"Yesterday, the Speaker himself made a guidance, he even said that he is instructing the law minister to give the explanation on Monday. So with that, I humbly pray that to be fair to the government, I am given the opportunity to explain all about the implementation of the emergency next Monday," Takiyuddin said in response to all the questions by the opposition.

Yesterday, Takiyuddin shocked the Parliament when he announced that the Cabinet on July 21 has agreed to revoke all six Emergency Ordinances. He added that it was no longer relevant to debate on the Emergency Ordinances as there was no need for them to be annulled in the Parliament.

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