NSC Bill became law in accordance with constitution - Azalina

The National Security Council Bill became legislation in accordance with the Federal Constitution, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said today.

She said that based on Article 66 Clause (3), a Bill passed by the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara shall be presented to the Yang di-Pertuan for his assent.

"According to Article 66 Clause (4A), if a Bill is not assented to by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong within 30 days, it shall become law at the expiration of the 30 days as if the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had assented to it," she said in a statement.

Azalina explained that there was nothing unusual about the approval of the National Security Council Bill as similar situations were encountered in 1983 and 1992 in approving amendments to the Federal Constitution.

"This is the normal process in our country which practises parliamentary democracy and Constitutional Monarchy.

"The amendment to Article 66 of the Federal Constitution was made via a motion tabled by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Aug 1, 1983, in the Dewan Rakyat and was passed," she said.

On Feb 17 this year, the Conference of Rulers, after being briefed by Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali at their 240th meeting at Istana Negara, felt that several provisions in the NSC Bill had to be refined.

The NSC Bill, which provides for the establishment of the NSC, the declaration of security areas, the special powers of the Security Forces in the security areas and other related matters, was passed by the Dewan Rakyat on Dec 3, 2015, and by the Dewan Negara, on Dec 22, 2015.

It was gazetted as legislation on June 7.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Apandi said in a text message to Bernama: "The position in law is that the NSC is deemed to have obtained the Royal Assent by virtue of Clause 4A of Article 66 of the Federal Constitution."