They said that Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun or his deputies should invoke Standing Orders 90 and 100, together with Standing Order 26(1)(m), to assert the House’s overriding authority and control over its own business.
“The speaker’s earlier ruling for Takiyuddin Hassan to explain the matter is now invalid due to the circumstances,” they said, referring to the de facto law minister.
The statement was jointly issued by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0), ENGAGE, Bait Al-Amanah, the Institute for Political Reform and Democracy (REFORM), the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) and Undi18.
They went on to say that the EOs must be revoked so that there is no doubt that they will not remain in force until Feb 1, 2022, six more months after the lapse of the emergency proclamation on Aug 1.
“The EOs must be debated and revoked at this sitting itself and not postponed to the next sitting in September.”
On a related matter, the groups also supported the motion by Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo to refer Takiyuddin to the Parliamentary Committee of Privileges for “his unfounded claim on the revocation of the EOs”.
Earlier today, Istana Negara had said that Putrajaya had not received the King’s consent to revoke the EOs. Takiyuddin had announced the revocation in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Bar called on Takiyuddin to provide “a full and frank disclosure” of what transpired in relation to his announcement.
Its president, AG Kalidas said the matter was of great national significance and had a direct impact on the level of trust of Malaysians in their government.
He added it was vital that the Cabinet convey accurate information during Parliamentary sittings to ensure effective and meaningful debates.
“Under no circumstances whatsoever should Parliament ever be misled, even more so during a global pandemic that has upended and thrown the lives of all those in Malaysia into disarray.”
He also called for those answerable for the imbroglio to take responsibility and be accountable for their actions.