DEPUTY Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azalina Othman Said today rejected Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan’s call for Barisan MPs to convene in parliament to debate issues surrounding the Emergency Ordinance.

In a letter dated January 19 sighted by The Malaysian Insight, Azalina said only the Yang di-Pertuan Agong may call for such a meeting.

She added that the federal constitution states that a state of emergency proclaimed by the king may not be challenged.

“It has to be emphasised that according to provision 14(1) of the Ordinance, which was recently promulgated by the YDPA , parliament may only be called when it is deemed necessary by the YDPA,” she said.

 “In my view the chances of the YDPA calling for a parliamentary sitting in the near future or cancelling the proclamation of emergency in the near future are very slim.

“Because of the aforementioned reasons and with all due respect I reject and disagree with the application on this issue as requested by YB Pontian through a letter dated January 18,” she said, referring to Ahmad by his constitution.

Ahmad in a January 18 letter urged BN lawmakers to agree to a special parliamentary sitting to debate the constitutionality of the emergency declaration as well as the impact of the law on democracy.

He asked that the MPs respond to the letter by Thursday noon.

Azalina, who is the Pengerang MP and an Umno member, rejected the call for a special parliamentary session.

Instead, she suggested that the MPs ask the king to set up a bipartisan special parliamentary council to oversee issues of rights and freedoms under emergency rule, or that unhappy Umno lawmakers channel their objections and recommendations to the Perikatan Nasional presidential council.

Meanwhile, constituents who have issues have recourse to the Umno ministers via official and unofficial channels, she said.

“I ask that an Umno representative be appointed as soon as possible to the Independent Emergency Committee which is to be set up soon as per the suggestion of the YDPA.” – January 19, 2021.