KUALA LUMPUR – Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has consented to an emergency being implemented to curb Covid-19.
The order will be in effect until August 1, or earlier if infections are effectively controlled and lowered, said a statement from Istana Negara.
The Agong agreed to Putrajaya’s proposal on the formation of an independent committee, comprising both government and opposition MPs, as well as health and other experts.
“The independent committee will recommend to His Majesty in the event that the emergency can be called off earlier,” said the statement.
The king emphasised that he is very concerned about the people’s safety, especially now, when several states are still recovering from major floods.
“His Majesty expressed his concerns about the effects of flood disasters and the sharp rise in Covid-19 infections in the country,” said Istana Negara.
“If not curbed and controlled effectively, it will be detrimental to the health of the people and the well-being of the country.”
In this regard, Al-Sultan Abdullah advised the people to stay calm and persevere in the face of the emergency declaration and movement control order (MCO).
He also called on citizens to be disciplined and comply with the standard operating procedures and other measures set by the government during the emergency and MCO.
“His Majesty also expressed confidence that with the strong-willed spirit and cooperation of the people, as demonstrated during the MCO last year, we will be able once again curb the spread of Covid-19 effectively,” said the statement.
The king also expressed hope that the upcoming vaccination programme will flatten the coronavirus curve.
The emergency proclamation was decided on after the king’s audience with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at Istana Negara yesterday and briefings by top government officials, said Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin.
The officials include Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali; Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun; armed forces chief General Tan Sri Affendi Buang; Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador; Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah; and, Election Commission chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh.
Fadil said the decision also took into account the Agong’s consultations with the Malay rulers.
“The king is of the view that Covid-19 transmissions in the country are at a very critical level, and there is a need to proclaim an emergency, based on Clause 1, Article 150 of the federal constitution.” – The Vibes, January 12, 2021
