KUALA LUMPUR – Several lawmakers and civil society groups have launched an online petition #TamatDarurat to seek public support to end the emergency order before it expires on August 1.
The informal group, led by Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad, is called the Committee for the Cessation of the State of Emergency.
He launched the campaign in Kg Baru here this morning, urging for support.
“Do not feel threatened when signing this petition. Unlike the protests in Myanmar, here, we are only asking for signatures.
“We must collectively join forces and gain as much support for this campaign to eventually take it to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he was quoted as saying by Malay Mail.
He said he hopes to get as many signatures as possible by the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and presenting it to the Agong.
At 1.30pm, the petition has garnered 560 signatures. On the petition site, it said that despite the decree by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on February 24 that the emergency proclamation does not hinder Parliament sittings, the cabinet has yet to restore parliamentary functions.
“This will have a very negative impact on the country's economy as well as (create) a bad image in the eyes of the international community. This situation also indirectly erodes the democratic system in the country,” it added.
The website also has a three-minute video in Bahasa Malaysia and select news pieces criticising Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his Perikatan Nasional government.
Aside from Khalid and other individuals, lawmakers in the committee are:
- Mohamed Hanipa Maidin (Sepang MP)
- Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman (Sepanggar MP)
- Teo Nie Ching (Kulai MP)
- Fahmi Fadzil (Lembah Pantai MP)
- Teresa Kok (Seputeh MP)
- Maria Chin Abdullah (Petaling Jaya MP)
- Datuk Marzuki Yahya (senator)
- Aiman Athirah Sabu (senator)
It is also supported by more than 100 civil society groups. – The Vibes, March 12, 2021
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