KUALA LUMPUR – The 19 members appointed to the independent committee tasked with advising the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the state of emergency are those with calibre and integrity, said Bersatu supreme council member Wan Saiful Wan Jan.
In a statement today, he expressed confidence that the committee will make the best judgement in determining whether the emergency order should be extended or can end before its deadline of August 1.
“The formation of this committee symbolises how serious Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is in ensuring that the advice given to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is accurate and guided by data.
“No one can question the credibility of these announced committee members. The number of government MPs (in the committee) is only a small fraction, while the majority are professional figures,” he said.
Wan Saiful said he hopes the opposition MPs in the committee will carry out their duties professionally and not be driven by political preferences.
“On January 21, the opposition had said that, even if it sent a representative to the committee, it would stick to the view of wanting the emergency to be lifted.
“Hopefully, with this announcement, the opposition representatives will be more professional in making their call (on the emergency).
“Do not come up with a decision before data and information is presented before the committee.”
The Prime Minister’s Office had earlier today announced the members of the committee.
The 19 individuals, comprising former civil servants, academics, health experts and MPs from both sides of the divide, were appointed under Section 2 of the Emergency Ordinance (Essential Powers) 2021.
The committee, led by former chief justice Tun Arifin Zakaria, will advise the king on how long the emergency, imposed to stem the spread of Covid-19, is to be in force.
Among the opposition members in the committee are Kulim-Bandar Baharu MP Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Seremban MP Anthony Loke and Kuala Selangor MP Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. – The Vibes, February 9, 2021
