KUALA LUMPUR – There are fears of an emergency being declared amid the surge in Covid-19 cases and current political crisis, with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin expected to address the nation this evening.
It is learnt that the pandemic and the need to make such a declaration were discussed at a special cabinet meeting at 11am today.
While no details have emerged from the meeting, The Star reported that Muhyiddin is scheduled to have an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong this afternoon.
The prime minister is due to brief the king on the outcome of the cabinet meeting and possible recommendations.
At the same time, a National Security Council meeting is expected to be held prior to Muhyiddin’s televised national address.
If the speculation proves true, it will be Muhyiddin’s second attempt to have a nationwide emergency declared in an effort to keep the pandemic in check.
His previous attempt was denounced by the opposition and civil society, which described it as political manoeuvring.
The proposal was subsequently rejected by the Agong last year.
It is the king’s prerogative to declare a national emergency, during which Parliament and elections would be suspended.
A reimposition of the movement control order has been rumoured since last week, leading to a former deputy health minister denouncing such a move.
Dr Lee Boon Chye said the Health Ministry should instead work on mining data collected via MySejahtera in its bid to contain Covid-19, pointing out that at present, the data is not being used effectively, with a mere 4% of 125,000 infections identified via the contact-tracing app. – The Vibes, January 11, 2021
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