The cabinet has yet to discuss any reviews to the limitations of the powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in assenting to new laws, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman Said.

"There is no such cabinet discussion yet. I just told the reporters that any changes to the constitution needs to be brought to cabinet for discussion, if there is a need," she told Malaysiakini today.

Earlier today, The Star reported that Azalina, who is in charge of legal affairs, had said the cabinet is open to discussions to review the Agong's powers before a new Act comes into force.

"We don't want the government to be seen as an 'on-off' government. I feel this is inconsistent.

"It's not fair to say that the passing of the National Security Council (NSC) Act was unconstitutional when it was in accordance with the situation allowed by the (Federal) Constitution," she said yesterday.

In 1994, the government under then prime minister Dr Mahahir Mohamad passed amendments to the constitution to allow any law that has been passed by both the Parliament and the Senate to become law within 30 days.

This is regardless of whether the Agong gives his assent or otherwise.

Mahathir last Thursday apologised for curtailing the Agong's powers, saying this had allowed for the controversial National Security Council (NSC) Act to come into force without royal assent.

On Feb 17, the Conference of Rulers asked for the NSC Bill to be refined, but this was not done.

According to the national gazette, the NSC Bill was then automatically assented the following day on Feb 18, as per the amendments that Mahathir oversaw.

The bill was gazetted into law in June, and came into force on Aug 1.

The NSC Act grants the prime minister the power to declare security zones, in which security forces will take charge.

Critics have said this is akin to declaring an emergency, something that only the Agong can do.