KUALA LUMPUR – The proclamation of emergency is not against the principles of democracy, as it is clearly enshrined in Article 150 (1) of the federal constitution.
Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar said the Article states that it is necessary to declare the state of emergency if security, or economic life, or public order is threatened.
In a statement yesterday, he said the emergency proclamation is aimed only at curbing the spread of Covid-19.
“It will also ensure that the government can function better without any disruption and irresponsible action from any party, which can undermine efforts to fight the pandemic and achieve economic stability.”
On Tuesday, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah proclaimed an emergency that will be enforced up to August 1 as a proactive measure to contain the worsening Covid-19 pandemic in Malaysia.
Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin had in a statement said His Majesty decreed that the emergency be in force up to the mentioned date, or earlier, if the number of positive Covid-19 cases can be effectively controlled and reduced.
Kamarudin brushed off claims that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is using the emergency proclamation to avoid a general election from being held.
“Taking the Sabah election as a lesson, the prime minister no longer wants to make political decisions that will do more harm than good to the people, in line with the principle of hifz an-nafs in the maqasid shariah (the most important objectives of shariah).
“In fact, the prime minister has given the assurance that the general election will be held after the pandemic subsides.”
As such, Kamarudin said, it is important for all parties, regardless of political ideologies, to set aside differences, and work with the government to break the Covid-19 infection chain. – Bernama, January 14, 2021
