Mahathir (PH-Langkawi) said the amendments to the Federal Constitution had been made to ensure that the people’s decisions could not be cancelled or set aside by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“Our country is a democracy where the voice of the people determines everything. Nevertheless, we give space to the king to know of the laws that are passed in both lower and upper houses.
“If the king is given absolute power to reject laws, then the people will lose their power. Then we will no longer be a democracy. Instead, we will be an absolute monarchy.
“I am not convinced that this is the kind of system you want. You also agree with me that power lies with the people,” he said in reply to a question from Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (BN-Santubong).
Wan Junaidi had asked whether there was a need to retain amendments made to the Federal Constitution in 1993. The amendments made to six articles at the time resulted in the stripping of royal immunity and the establishment of a special court to try members of the royalty.
Ismail Mohamed Said (BN-Kuala Krau) had earlier asked whether the government planned to review and amend Article 66 (4A) of the Federal Constitution which provides that if a bill does not receive the assent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong within 30 days after it is presented, it is deemed to have obtained assent.
To this, Mahathir said a bill would become law after 30 days if it is approved by both lower and upper houses, except in matters that touch on the rights of the rulers.
“According to the parliamentary democracy practised here, the power to formulate laws belongs to the Parliament, hence the provisions contained in Article 66 (4A) removes all doubts on the right of Parliament to formulate laws.
“It rejects the doubt that the Parliament is powerless, and is instead ruled by rulers who have absolute power,” he said.
Mahathir added that the amendments should not be viewed as an attempt to threaten the dignity of the rulers, but rather as an affirmation of the sovereignty of the people and the legislative institution that represents their wishes.
“The dignity of the rulers is still upheld in the context of constitutional monarchy,” he said.