KUALA LUMPUR: The passing of the Jurisdictional Immunities of Foreign States Bill 2023 in Dewan Rakyat today should not be done hastily, said opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
In a press conference at the Parliament media centre today, Hamzah (PN-Larut) said the enactment of the bill must be looked at holistically as certain provisions, particularly Clause 32 and 33, were seen to be granting excessive power to the prime minister.
He also said the provision would allow the prime minister to perform a "one-man" show, thus defeating the purpose of having checks and balances in the administration.
"It (the bill) needs to be looked at holistically. We understand what has been explained by the minister.
"However, what is being raised is the clear authority granted to the prime minister under Clauses 32 and 33.
"This shows that the prime minister has the power to allow any country to be exempted from the law to his whims and fancies. He has the power to do so," he said.
Present during the press conference was Pas secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.
Earlier, the bill which was tabled by Minister in Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said received the Dewan Rakyat's nod.
However, several opposition lawmakers continued to voice their dissatisfaction over the bill, particularly Clauses 30, 32 and 33 which were seen as granting excessive power to the prime minister.
Among those who raised the issue were Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee who clarified that the authority given to the prime minister must be transferred to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Following this, tempers flared in the lower house as the opposition bloc voiced their dissatisfaction over the passing of the bill.
Hamzah, meanwhile, said the government had bulldozed the concerns raised by the opposition by approving the bill.
This, he said, was also an abuse of its majority in the Dewan Rakyat.
"The bill is good and we 100 per cent agree with such a proposal. However, we are raising these concerns for further improvement and want the bill to be referred to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee before it is passed.
"If indeed the authority for the exemption is given to the prime minister, we want him to have an audience with the king for approval.
"We are also concerned that the prime minister can be pressured by foreign countries for an exemption. If the authority is granted to the king, there is no need for pressure from foreign countries."