KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Annuar Musa has once again accused Umno of conspiring with its political rivals, namely Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and DAP.
-Advertisement-
This was following Umno’s petition letter from its secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, calling for members of Parliament to agree that Parliament reconvene during the emergency period.
Annuar in a written reply had called out Ahmad’s move, saying that was never discussed or decided by the party, and contradicted with the Umno president’s statement to uphold the King’s decision to proclaim a state of emergency.
“If you had already ‘menjunjung titah’ (upheld the decree), why are you (Ahmad) trying to go against the party president’s official statement?
“Your letter is a violation of organisational ethics, an insult to the party’s decision, and can be interpreted as an attempt of treason to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“This is also a clear attempt (by Umno) to continue conspiring with opposition leader Anwar and DAP, who had previously asked for the same thing to be done by MPs,” he said.
The Ketereh MP urged Ahmad to retract his letter, stressing that he “totally disagreed” with his actions, describing it as “unconstitutional” and against Umno’s policies.
He also said that the letter was “grossly erroneous” when interpreting Clause 150 (3) of the Federal Constitution.
Under Clause 150 (3), he added, the proclamation of emergency and the ordinance must be presented once Parliament convenes.
“It does not state or mean to require Parliament to convene as soon as possible, or oblige Parliament to sit immediately after the proclamation of emergency is made by the King.
-Advertisement-
“You must understand that once a proclamation is made under Clause 150 (1) of the Federal Constitution, there would be no Parliament sitting.
“Parliament can only convene after the end of the emergency, as stated in Section 14, Emergency Ordinance (Necessary Powers) 2021.”
Annuar, who is also Federal Territories Minister, said the operations of the state of emergency and legislative proceedings during the period were clearly spelt out in the constitution.
“Umno/BN MPs and other MPs cannot petition the King to undo what is constitutionally done.
“There is no legal provision for us to do so. There is no leg for us to stand on. Our actions are doomed to fail,” he added.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, on Jan 12, consented to proclaiming a state of emergency nationwide until Aug 1.
The Emergency Ordinance was gazetted two days later.
Anwar Ibrahim is set to challenge the proclamation of emergency in court, saying it was a desperate attempt by the government to stay in power.
He had previously launched a petition campaign, urging lawmakers to write to the palace for the King to rescind the proclamation.- NST