A PAS MP today urged the Agong to flex his muscle and stop the allegedly “sneaky” attempt to usurp power through the National Security Council Bill.

Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar says this is because the NSC Bill allows the prime minister to impose emergency-like conditions, without the Agong declaring a state of emergency.

‘The Agong will no longer play the role of check and balance as the ruler of the country, to protect the nation and rakyat,” the former PAS vice- president said.

“The Agong’s role is to protect the country and its people and to play the role of check and balance so there is no abuse of power by the prime minister,” he said.

He urged the Conference of Rulers to stop the law from being tabled and passed in the Upper House.

The bill was tabled and passed after six hours of debate, despite the opposition's vigorous attempts to amend it at the Dewan Rakyat last week.

The bill, if passed, will empower the prime minister with a quorum of five in the security council to declare a “security area”, where security forces can arrest and search, seize and destroy property.

The action cannot be challenged in the court if it is done in good faith.

The security order can only be issued for six months with approval of Parliament, but can be renewed on a biannual basis indefinitely as long as the legislative house agrees.

Critics say this is giving dictatorship powers to the prime minister.