What
You Think
Nazri:
Between ‘open secret’ and common sense – Ravinder Singh
July 07, 2013
Malay Mail Online
JULY 7 – Nazri is correct in
saying that it is an “open secret” that the Conference of Rules (COR) can
object to any law (or any sections, words or phrases in it). That is the
prerogative of the Rulers.
On the other hand, it is common
sense that if the COR does object to any part of a law that has been sent to it
after going through the Cabinet and Parliament, the COR must send it back to
the Cabinet / Parliament for the parts objected to to be reviewed, amended or
dealt with in any other way deemed proper by the Cabinet / Parliament.
It is also common sense that after
having approved / amended a bill, it is not the function of the COR to send it
for printing / publication / gazetting. This is the duty of the executive.
So how is it that up today not only
Nazri but the whole Cabinet and Parliament do not know whether the COR had
actually objected to the Cabinet decision of April 2009 on the issue of the
conversion of minors?
What Nazri has stated is not fair to
the COR. If the COR had really objected to the Cabinet decision, did the COR
by-pass the Cabinet and Parliament and send their objections directly to the
AG’s Chambers which is responsible for the final drafts of all legislation? Is
that why the proposed amendment to Clause 107 of the Administration of the
Religion of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013 appeared in the form it did?
Nazri has much to explain about the
Cabinet being in the dark whether the Conference of Rulers had objected to the
Cabinet Decision of April 2009. Common sense states this is not possible as the
convention is that if something goes to the COR from the Cabinet, the COR will
surely return it to the Cabinet with its approval or comments for the next
action to be taken by the Cabinet.
Nazri’s “explanation” is therefore
not convincing at all. He should not insinuate that the Conference of Rulers
might have been responsible for the form in which the amendment appeared before
Parliament despite the Cabinet decision April 2009.
- See more at:
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/what-you-think/article/nazri-between-open-secret-and-common-sense-ravinder-singh#sthash.ss3fonzF.dpuf
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