KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Negara approved the motion to revoke three emergency proclamations, thesundaily reports.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong tabled the motion in the House.
The proclamations, issued by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, are the Emergency Proclamation 1966, Emergency Proclamation 1969 and Emergency Proclamation 1977.
The 1969 emergency proclamation was issued on May 15, 1969, following racial riots two days earlier.
The 1966 and 1977 emergency proclamations, issued on Sept 14, 1966, in Sarawak and Nov 8, 1977, in Kelantan, respectively, were aimed at resolving political disputes in the two states.
Liew said that said the move to annul the emergency proclamations was made because the conditions, which threatened security and public order, then no longer existed.
He added that with the annulment of the proclamations, it proves that the government is always ready to make reforms in the country’s laws and that it is consistent with current needs and strengthen the government’s efforts to ensure the country is moving forward.
“With the annulment of the proclamations, the government no longer has the power to formulate laws under Article 150 of the Federal Constitution,” said Liew.
He said that in accordance to Clause (7) under Article 150 of the Federal Constitution, the emergency proclamation would still be in effect for a period of six months from the date they are lifted.
The provision under Article 150 was put in place to ensure appropriate steps could be taken by the government to control crime or threats to security and safeguarding economic life and public order when the proclamations are lifted.
The lifting of the proclamations will also prevent the government from enacting or passing emergency laws under Article 150.
Last month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak tabled the motion in the Dewan Rakyat to revoke the three emergency proclamations and it was approved.