ALOR STAR – The Perikatan Nasional (PN) federal government considered its options most thoroughly before it decided to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to implement a state of emergency until August, said Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
Sanusi said he believes the government had considered the views of all parties before presenting the emergency proposal to the King.
“The action taken will ultimately bring benefit to all parties. The emergency measures will ensure that everything runs in an orderly and stable manner,” he told a press conference here.
Sanusi said that the Sabah state election in September last year should serve as a lesson that no polling should be held during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Do not push for another election. Sabah state election should be a lesson,” he said.
The aftermath of the intense campaign period and polling day on September 26 saw the virus surge across the country after politicians and their supporters themselves got infected.
These cases included several high-profile politicians from Peninsular Malaysia, who resumed interactions and meetings after returning to the peninsula from Sabah.
Sanusi said the period of emergency until August 1 is also the best time for all political leaders to stop politicking and focus entirely on public welfare.
“Now we stop politics first. After the emergency period ends we can resume,” he said.
He noted that emergency declarations were previously made for the Batu Sapi and Gerik constituencies late last year, postponing by-elections following the deaths of their respective incumbents.
He said people in these areas already under an emergency, have been living “as usual” without problems.
Earlier today, Istana Negara announced that Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah had consented to an emergency being implemented to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The order will be in effect until August 1, or earlier if infections are effectively controlled and lowered – The Vibes, January 12, 2021
