PM's action in advising Agong against the law, Anwar seeks judicial review

KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has filed a suit at the High Court here on Monday, seeking for a judicial review on the proclamation of emergency.

According to the PKR president's lawyer, Ram Karpal Singh, the action was taken by Anwar following the advice of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to suspend Parliament during the emergency period which was against the Federal Constitution.

"The application was filed by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the applicant (as the Opposition Leader in Dewan Rakyat) through Messrs. Karpal Singh & Co.

“The respondents named are the Prime Minister and the Malaysian government.

"It needs to be stressed that what is being challenged by the applicant isn't the proclamation of emergency, but the decision of the prime minister (through Cabinet) to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to assent to the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021 which suspended Parliament during the emergency period.

"It is the prime minister's advice that is regarded to be in violation of the law," he said in a statement.

In this regard, Ram Karpal hopes that a hearing date for the application can be set as soon as possible.

Following the proclamation of emergency until August 1, 2021, Parliament and all State Legislative Assemblies, general elections, state elections and by-elections are suspended.

The Emergency Ordinance which was gazetted on January 14 empowers the Prime Minister to govern the country during the emergency period.