THE Penang government will be sending a letter to the National Security Council (NSC) to seek an approval to hold the State Legislative Assembly during the current Emergency proclamation period.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that the State Legislative Assembly could be done in accordance to Section 15 (1) (b) of the Emergency Ordinance.
“According to Section 15 (1) (b) of the Emergency Ordinance, the State Legislative Assembly can be held even if the Parliament sitting does not take place. Upon the advice of the state executive council, the Penang Governor can propose to the King to allow the State Legislative Assembly to be held.
“This comes following the view received from the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to the state Legal Adviser pertaining to the convening of the State Legislative Assembly during the Emergency period.
“Thus, the state government will be sending a letter to the NSC to convey our intention of holding the State Legislative Assembly,” said Chow during his closing speech at the state Engagement Session between the state executive councillors and assemblymen at the St Giles The Wembley today.
Apart from that, Chow said if the State Legislative Assembly is allowed to be held then the state government would be able to bring a motion with regard to the amendment of age limit for election candidates, that is from 21 years old to 18 years old.
“This would be in line with the desire of Malaysians to see the implementation of ‘Vote 18’ in the forthcoming General Election.
“If the State Legislative Assembly is not allowed to convene, then perhaps we could hold another Engagement Session to ensure the continuity of the ‘check and balance’ system in our administration,” Chow said.
Earlier, Air Putih assemblyman Lim Guan Eng had urged the state government to amend its law pertaining to the lowering of the age of candidacy in elections to 18.
Lim also lauded the state government’s move to organise the Engagement Session in replacement of the State Legislative Assembly.
“I would like to applaud the state government’s courage for holding this session and maybe it could be done more often to bring a strong message on the need for the Parliament proceedings to be allowed to convene,” Lim said.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis & Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar
Video by Chan Kok Kuan