KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has hit back at critics of the emergency by telling all quarters to stop hurling “baseless charges” against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s thoughtful decision of assenting to the proclamation.
Speaking in a live televised address, Muhyiddin said he noted that certain parties have attempted to challenge the proclamation in court.
However, he said he believes that Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah truly understands and respects the country’s judicial system and process in having made his decision.
According to Muhyiddin, the emergency that was agreed to by the king was only meant to give certain jurisdiction to the government to ensure the pandemic can be handled quicker, and more efficiently and effectively.
“The government was assented to by His Majesty (to declare an emergency), after he was satisfied that the Covid-19 situation in the country was at a critical stage.
“The emergency proclamation has no other motives than to curb the spread of Covid-19 more effectively and to safeguard public lives,” he said today.
Muhyiddin had on January 12 announced that the country would be placed under emergency effective immediately until August 1 in a bid to control the spread of the virus.
However, several quarters have since condemned the move, with many accusing Muhyiddin, who is also Bersatu president, of making a desperate move to remain in power, noting that the movement control order (MCO) was sufficient to address the pandemic.
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had said on January 20 that the majority of MPs from both sides of the political divide have heeded his call to write to the Agong to rescind the emergency and call for Parliament to reconvene.
On January 25, the PKR president filed a suit against Muhyiddin and the government to have the court declare the latter’s advice to the Agong to proclaim an emergency unlawful, and challenge the suspension of Parliament.
Just a day later, three other opposition lawmakers – Amanah’s Pulai MP Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, PKR’s Sg Petani MP Datuk Johari Abdul and DAP’s Tebing Tinggi assemblyman Abdul Aziz Bari – filed a court challenge against Muhyiddin on the “unconstitutional” emergency.
On January 27, Anwar had brushed aside chatter that he was committing treason against the king as merely a political ploy.
“We know of speeches by past ministers that are far more severe in attacking royals,” he had said.
“We are opposing only the decision of the prime minister, and not touching the position and honour of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.”
Muhyiddin said today that, as the head of the administration, he respects the country’s legal system and reiterated his commitment to call for Parliament to be dissolved as soon as the pandemic is under control and when it is safe to hold elections.
“In the meantime, I urge all my friends from the government and opposition (to) let us work together in battling Covid-19, regardless of our political affiliation.” – The Vibes, February 4, 2021
