KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan denies that the government has "shifted the goal post" to influence the duration of the State of Emergency.
The Kota Baru member of parliament said on Twitter: "No one is shifting the goal post."
"What is being done is to correct the rules of the games in assisting the referee to come to a fair decision.
"Achieving goals does not mean changing the goal post," he said.
The posting was accompanied by a news report, which quoted comments from Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
Azalina questioned the statement made by Takiyuddin, who had said that the onus is on the Cabinet to continue advising Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah in making decisions on the emergency period.
"If that's the case, what's the point of forming an Independent Special Committee to advise the YDPA (Yang di-Pertuan Agong) under Section 2(1) of the Emergency Ordinance 2021? Stop shifting the goal post!!! @takiyuddin61," said the Pengerang MP on Twitter.
Azalina today also posted in response to Takiyuddin that the Cabinet was not merely correcting the rules of the games to enable the referee to make the right decision.
"Everyone plays to win.
"But to win at all cost regardless of existing rules, is unethical.
"By changing the rules in the middle of a game, you create another game. This makes the Referee look bad.
@takiyuddin61," she said.
Earlier today, PKR secretary-general, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, urged Takiyuddin to clear the air on the actual function of the committee.
Saifuddin, who is also a member of the committee, had said that the responsibilities of the committee, that was formed under Section 2 of the Emergency Ordinance (Essential Powers) 2021, is specific and clear, that is to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong regarding the existence or termination of State of Emergency declaration.
"As a member in the commitee, who was appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, I would like to urge the minister (Takiyuddin) to come forward and explain the matter?" said Saifuddin in a statement today.
"Such explanation will facilitate in deciding my position and function as a member of the committee," said Saifuddin.