PARLIAMENT Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Shahidan Kassim brushed off allegations that the government is trying to subvert the Yang diPertuan Agong with the National Security Council bill, by declaring his fealty to the King.

"You (opposition) make it as though we want to seize power from the Agong. We are not. Daulat Tuanku !" Shahidan shouted, and before rallying BN lawmakers to join him in shouting Daulat Tuanku two more times.

"We do not touch on the Agong's powers under Article 149 and 150 of the Federal Constitution," he added.

Under the NSC bill, the prime minister will have the power to declare any area a "security zone."

The opposition however argues that this encroaches on the Agong's power to declare a state of emergency under Article 150.

Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong) argued that defending against security threats is already allowed for under Article 150, rendering Shahidan's argument that the NSC bill is only to thwart security threats redundant.

He also said Article 74(3) also prevented Parliament from formulating laws that touched on matters already established in the constitution.

"This makes the bill unconstitutional," Gobind ( photo ) added.

Shahidan however said the Attorney-General had approved the bill as constitutional.

He also said that the cabinet had approved the bill before tabling it in Parliament.

However Shahidan refused to say when it was approved when grilled by Sivarasa Rasiah (PKR-Subang).

"When was it approved? Secret!" he said three times when pushed for an answer by Sivarasa.

Shahidan had also tried to court PAS to support the bill, but was shot down by Khairuddin Aman Razali (PAS-Kuala Nerus) who said the Islamist party was firmly against the bill.

The government nonetheless managed to pass the bill through the policy stage during the bloc vote, with 107 votes in favour and 74 votes against.

Putrajaya is pushing to get the NSC bill approved by Parliament, amid continued challenges to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's position.

Critics fear that the bill would allow Najib to crack down on his opponents, by declaring security zones which will allow for arbitrary arrest.

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