PRIME Minister Muhyiddin Yassin pushed for a declaration of emergency to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, not to safeguard his own interests, said Bersatu leaders.  

Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said the decision to push for an emergency was with the consent of civil servants and was done in the best interests of all parties in the country.  

“This proclamation is all about preserving public interest in health and safety. The decision was made on consensus by cabinet and civil servants. Nothing political at all,” he said when contacted by The Malaysian Insight.  

The senator added Muhyiddin did not convince the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah but the ruler understood the magnitude of the pandemic at hand.  

“No such things. Unprecedented situations demand unprecedented measures. The king understood the gravity hence the first thing he did was giving consent less than 24 hours after the prime minister met him yesterday,” said Wan Fayhsal.  

Sultan Abdullah assented to Putrajaya’s request to declare a state of emergency until August 1, after the government announced a movement-control order (MCO) for certain states. 

After the assent was given, Muhyiddin said the emergency was aimed at giving the government more powers to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“Parliament will be suspended during the emergency period and there will be no by-elections or state and national elections,” said Muhyiddin on live television today. 

While in a state of emergency, the government is empowered to enact new laws to fight the epidemic more effectively, he said. 

Muhyiddin denied he had resorted to emergency rule to cling on to power after losing majority support this week.

Wan Fahysal said Muhyiddin was instead being diplomatic by suggesting to the Agong on an independent committee to oversee matters pertaining to Covid-19, who will then advise the king. 

“Furthermore, the special committee to oversee the end of the emergency proves that (the Perikatan Nasional) government is sincere for national reconciliation,” he said.  

Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan said despite the emergency being declared, Muhyiddin had promised to allow civil governments including state administrations to be operational as usual. 

“The assurance given by the prime minister that the civilian government will continue to function and the legal process to to run as usual should calm all the people,” he said. 

The former academic added this would ensure there will be no disruptions in the business sector and would continue to attract investments for the country.  

“The stability generated through this declaration will definitely enable the business sector to continue their business and efforts to attract investment, to generate economic growth, can also run smoothly,” said Wan Saiful.  

Malaysians have taken to social media to slam the declaration of emergency as detrimental to the country, especially the economy, which is still reeling from the after-effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.  

The people also believe the emergency period until August will turn away potential investors, especially foreign bodies. – January 12, 2021.