Critics of the National Security Council Bill 2015 have raised fresh concerns on the provisions related to the military's chain of command in this bill, which was swiftly passed by the Dewan Rakyat early this month.

#TakNakDiktator campaign coalition spokesperson Ambiga Sreenevasan said today the NSC Bill has "ignored in totality" provisions under Article 41, Article 137 and Article 150 of the Federal Constitution, as well as the Armed Forces Act 1972.

"Now we are more convinced that this is an illegal bill. It is not workable.

"I think all we can ask for is that the senators (the members of the Dewan Negara), please do your job and send this back. Not enough consideration has been given to this bill.

Ambiga pointed to Article 41 of the Federal Constitution, which states that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, while Article 137 provides for formation of an Armed Forces Council.

#TakNakDiktator and other critics of the NSC Bill have earlier raised concerns that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak would be accorded too much power under the bill once it becomes law, including the power to declare a state of emergency.

Ambiga said #TakNakDiktator has received concerns about the impact of the bill on the military's chain of command from retired Armed Forces personnel.

"What is the government's answer to these concerns? We want these answers and the military deserves the same answers as well," she said.

'Meeting with Dewan Negara Speaker'

Aside from the ongoing campaign, DAP Senator ST Chandra Mohan said the six opposition senators would meet with Dewan Negara Speaker Abu Zahar Ujang and request that the tabling of the bill be delayed.

Chandra Mohan said this would allow time for all issues of concern to be raised and answered before the NSC Bill is debated in the Upper House.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and top BN leaders have been dismissing concerns that the NSC Bill would move Malaysia into an authoritarian state, with excessive powers concentrated in the hands of one man, the prime minister.

The government has also insisted that the bill, once passed, would not be used to curb political dissent, as its critics have claimed.