THE legality and legitimacy of the Perikatan Nasional government is now under scrutiny after its announcement yesterday that it had revoked all ordinances passed during the emergency effective July 21, said former prime minister Najib Razak.

The Pekan MP also questioned if due process of the law was followed when the government decided to lift all six ordinances.

“This raises the question of the government’s legitimacy and legality from July 21 to August 1,” Najib said.

“In my view, the announcement by the minister yesterday was misleading, not just in the Dewan Rakyat but to the public.

“If the revocation was made, has it been gazetted and has it received the consent of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.”

This morning, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Parliament) Takiyuddin Hassan came under heavy fire in Parliament for dodging questions on his statement yesterday, when he announced the revocation of the emergency ordinances.

Crucially, MPs demand to know if the king had given his consent to rescind the laws drafted under emergency rule, as required by the federal constitution.

However, Takiyuddin evaded the question, saying he was bound by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun’s ruling yesterday to answer such questions on Monday.

The PAS lawmaker caused uproar yesterday when he announced that the government had cancelled the ordinances that were passed during the emergency, effective July 21.

“My answer to all of you is that I will be giving an answer this Monday. There is a procedure in the house, and I have been allowed by the speaker to clarify on (next) Monday,” he said.

Najib also questioned if any action taken by the authorities against those who violated the movement control order from July 21 can be cancelled.

“Can the action taken be questioned or is it now void since the revocation of emergency ordinance took effect from July 21.”

“There needs to be a clear explanation on this matter,” he added. – July 27, 2021.