Sultans our only hope against NSC Bill, says Amanah
The Council of Rulers has been urged to step in and save the rakyat from the National Security Council (NSC) Bill.
Amanah Youth deputy chief Faiz Fadzil said if the sultans reject the bill, then the government will have to pull the plug on it.
"If the government continues to seek the Agong's consent after the bill was rejected by the rulers council, then it is clear that Umno no longer heeds the sultans' decree and can be considered traitors.
"Umno would no longer be the defenders of the royal institution," Faiz ( photo ) said in a statement today.
The lawyer pointed out that the bill must be rejected 30 days from the day it was approved by Dewan Negara on Dec 22.
After that, the bill will automatically be considered to have received the Agong's consent.
Critics of the bill say it will give Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak absolute power.
Under the new law, Najib, as NSC chairperson, would be able to declare any location a "security zone" in which authorities have wide-ranging arbitrary powers, including to arrest as well as seize, and destroy property.
Critics said this will essentially supersede the Agong's power to declare an emergency, as the prime minister will only need approval from the NSC to declare a security area.
The government has denied allegations that it is sidelining the royalty, or that it wants to become a dictatorship.
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