LETTER | Revocation of emergency ordinances needs immediate clarification

LETTER | We, the undersigned civil society groups, closely observed the progress of the special meeting of Dewan Rakyat which began yesterday. 

We take note of the oral reply presented by de facto Law Minister Takiyuddin Hassan (above) that the 2021 Emergency Proclamation will continue in force until Aug 1 but all the Emergency Ordinances 2021 have been revoked by the government. 

We welcome the unexpected announcement that the government has revoked all the emergency ordinances and the decision took effect on July 21. However, this announcement has raised various questions. 

Firstly, why the decision to revoke all the emergency ordinances was only announced in the Parliament yesterday and not officially to the public last July 21 as such decision is of utmost importance and affects all rakyat.

Secondly, the government also needs to clarify whether the prime minister has formally advised the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to revoke all the emergency ordinances. If the advice was given by the prime minister to the Agong and the Agong has consented to the advice, why is there no public statement from Istana Negara?

Thirdly, until today, the government's decision was not found in the Federal Gazette. The Perikatan Nasional government needs to provide an explanation as to why the decision to revoke the emergency ordinances has not yet been gazetted if the enforcement of the revocation of the emergency ordinances has started since last July 21.

Fourthly, the government must also provide an explanation to rakyat about what will happen to all actions, including fines and compounds imposed by the authorities in the period from July 21 to July 27 that were based on those ordinances because it should not be in force anymore.

We call on the prime minister to immediately answer these pertinent questions to avoid another constitutional crisis. Delay to provide a public explanation to next Monday's Parliament sitting is unacceptable.

This statement is initiated by the Seed Community for a Professional Parliament, a network of individuals active in civil society organisations, think tanks and academia working towards a professional Parliament that facilitates healthy policy competition between parties.

Signed by:

1. Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH 2.0)
2. Engage
3. Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas)
4. Persatuan Pengundi Muda (Undi18)
5. Institute for Political Reform and Democracy (Reform)
6. Bait Al-Amanah

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