KANGAR, Sept 20 ― Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim has refuted allegations from the opposition about the National Security Council (NSC) Act 2016 including usurping the powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. 

Shahidan said similarly allegations by former prime minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad and opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that the Act could threaten the country's democracy based on Article 150, was not true.

"The Act was implemented based on Article 74(1) and not Article 150 as claimed by Tun M and Anwar Ibrahim, the Act is related specifically to internal security and does not need a declaration by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong," he said.

Shahidan was speaking to reporters before opening the Perlis MIC 70^th Anniversary and Convention, here tonight.

Also present were MIC deputy president Datuk Seri S.K Devamany and Perlis MIC chairman S. Vengadasamy. ― Bernama