KUALA LUMPUR: The government today lifted the three existing emergency proclamations, rendering the Emergency Public Order and Prevention of Crime Ordinance 1969 (EO) void.In accordance with clause (7) Article 150 of the Federal Constitution, the EO would lapse in May, six months after the proclamations are lifted.
The three proclamations are:
1) 1966 Emergency Proclamation issued in Sarawak for the state to resolve its political disputes;
2) 1969 Emergency Proclamation issued following the May 13 racial riots; and
3) 1977 Emergency Proclamation issued in Kelantan on Nov 8, 1977 to resolve the state’s political disputes.
“The reason the proclamations are lifted is because the emergency situation which threatens the security, economic livelihood and public order does not exist at the present moment,” Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak told the Dewan Rakyat when tabling a motion to revoke the emergency laws.
He also informed the House that with the EO rendered void, a need arises for the government to take the necessary steps to ensure that there would be no difficulties or obstacles for the authorities to control crime, protect economic livelihood and ensure public order.
The existence of the proclamations also gave the government, under Article 150 of the Federal Constitution, to make laws without passing them through Parliament.
However, Najib said with the lifting of these proclamations, the government no longer has the power to make laws under Article 150.
“This proves that the government is always ready to make changes in the law in accordance with current needs,” he added.
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