For the second day in a row, the revocation of the Emergency Ordinance that took place on July 21 but was only made public yesterday, hogs the spotlight in the Dewan Rakyat.
The government remained mum, despite being pressured by MPs this morning to reveal if the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had indeed consented to the ordinances being revoked. Instead, de facto Law Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said he would answer questions regarding the revocation of all six Emergency ordinances that were promulgated during the Emergency, next Monday. This, he said, was based on the advice given by Dewan Rakyat Speaker, Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun.
The government’s silence has now left lawmakers and observers wondering if Istana Negara would be forced to clarify. After all, the Agong’s name had been mentioned by MPs across both sides of the divide since Monday.
Twentytwo13, had over the weekend, revealed efforts were being made to “advise” Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to revoke the Emergency ordinances currently enforced, ahead of Dewan Rakyat’s special sitting.
The request to the King was made last Friday by the government. The Agong’s stand regarding the matter, however, remained unclear.
In fact, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in Parliament today, had said: “Judging by the way the minister (Takiyuddin) answered, I’m 100 per cent certain there has not been consent from the Agong (to revoke the Emergency ordinances).”
Even former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, on Facebook today, wondered how the revocation of the Emergency ordinances could be “backdated, and be done quietly without the knowledge of the residents, enforcers, or judges in Malaysia”. He ended his posting by saying “Champion”.
Also in contention is the five-day special sitting that had been called for. The Agong had requested for Parliament – not a special sitting – to take place “as soon as possible” as per his June 16 statement, which was echoed by his brother Rulers.
Perhaps Istana Negara would be forced to step in, yet again, to clear the air once and for all.
Here are Twentytwo13’s news highlights.
RM50 A DAY HOME QUARANTINE CLAIM IS FAKE, SAYS HEALTH MINISTRY
A message saying those who are home quarantined due to Covid-19 can claim RM50 a day, through a refund link, has been described as fake, by the Health Ministry.
The ministry said the content of the message did not reflect the information in the link provided. It added those who wanted information related to the Bantuan Prihatin MySalam Covid-19 scheme, which provides RM50 a day to eligible recipients in the B40 group, can refer to MySalam’s website, or contact 1300-888-938 for more information.
Malaysia today recorded 16,117 new Covid-19 cases.
HELICOPTER ALLOWED TO FLY FOR MAINTENANCE, NOT TO TRANSPORT NASI GANJA
A helicopter that landed at Padang Ipoh last Friday was allowed to fly cross-state for the maintenance of the aircraft, and not to transport nasi ganja.
Perak police have recorded the statements of the police station chief who gave the green light, the complainant, the restaurant owner, and the helicopter company that owns the Bell 505 Global Ranger. Investigations are ongoing.
The flight became a talking point after it landed in Ipoh to collect 36 packets of nasi ganja from a popular nasi kandar shop. The consignment was ordered by a customer in Kuala Lumpur.
REFUGEE RIGHTS ACTIVIST HEIDY QUAH CLAIMS TRIAL TO ‘OFFENSIVE’ FACEBOOK POSTING
Heidy Quah Gaik Li pleaded not guilty to a Facebook posting on the alleged mistreatment of refugees at the Immigration detention centre in Putrajaya.
Quah, 27, who founded the non-governmental organisation ‘Refuge for the Refugees’, and who, in 2017, received the Queen’s Young Leaders Award from Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II for her work in championing and supporting refugees, had allegedly made an offensive posting with the intent to insult others at 5.30am on June 5, 2020.
Deputy public prosecutor Noor Dayana Mohamad proposed a RM7,000 bail to be imposed on the accused. Quah’s lawyer pleaded for a lower bail and the court then allowed RM2,000 bail in one surety and fixed Sept 6 for mention.
MINISTERS URGED TO COME TO OLYMPIAN FARAH ANN’S DEFENCE OVER SEXIST, LEWD REMARKS
Wanita DAP Kasthuri Patto urged Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun, and Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican to defend national gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi, who once again, became a victim of sexist and disrespectful remarks during her outing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Insults against Farah Ann, mainly due to her attire, are not new as the champion gymnast had been subjected to such abuse repeatedly, in the past.
“In 2015, the then Youth and Sports Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin, spoke up and defended Farah Ann when she was subjected to disgusting comments by men and women who trivialised the national gymnast’s achievements and condemned her sports attire,” Kasthuri said in a statement earlier today.
“To date, we have not heard any statement by Rina or Reezal Merican to call out and condemn these sick, perverted men and women who have nothing else but filth on their minds, and to stand together to defend Farah Ann in her endeavours in Tokyo.”
Kasthuri said the onus was upon leaders to stand up to criticise, and at the same time, to educate and create awareness.
“Rina Harun, Reezal Merican, speak up and defend Farah Ann; and condemn sexist and disrespectful comments against women,” she added.
