No return to absolute monarchy, says Prime Minister

THERE are no plans to return power to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to reject laws passed by Parliament, the House was told.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said in a democracy, the voice of the people “decides everything”.

“Thus, we have agreed to give the King his position and that the King is aware of the laws passed in both Houses of Parliament.

“If the King is given absolute power to reject laws, it would mean a loss of the people’s power and we are no more a democracy but an absolute monarchy,” Dr Mahathir said in reply to Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (GPS-Santubong).

The MP had asked if there would be a return to the scenario before amendments to the Federal Constitution in 1994 which took away the King’s power to reject a Bill passed by both Houses.

Dr Wan Junaidi said the constitutional amendments had eroded the institution of Parliament which he said the King was a part of.

Dr Mahathir told MPs that the constitutional amendments of 1983, 1984 and 1994 were not aimed at eroding the special position of the Rulers but to ensure Bills passed by both Houses of Parliament became law as soon as possible.

“The amendments should not be viewed as inappropriate and usurping the dignity of the Rulers, but to uphold the sovereignty of the people and authority of the legislature which represents the voice of the people,” Dr Mahathir told Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Mohamed Said (BN-Kuala Krau).

Following the amendments, he said a Bill would be deemed passed after 30 days, irrespective of whether royal assent was given by the King.

Dr Mahathir also said the government would review the validity of the National Security Council Act passed in 2015 if the need arose.

He said the Act gave power to the government to declare an emergency although such power was vested in the King.