MOVEMENT restrictions, social distancing measures and mask-wearing are still the most effective measures to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, former deputy minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed told The Malaysian Insight.

Nur Jazlan, who is also a former three-term Pulai lawmaker, said there is no need for an emergency other than for the government to act without accountability when it came to public spending and drafting policies.

The Johor Umno deputy chief said the Covid-19 infections are climbing again after the second movement-control order (MCO 2.0) ended in March proving that the emergency did very little to stem the spread of the pandemic.

“It’s not in the World Health Organisation’s list of preventative measures.

“And the few countries that use it, only do so on a regional and short-term basis to control severe outbreaks and not on a national level while their respective parliaments continue to sit and scrutinise the government, especially on financial matters.

“These countries use their emergencies for lockdowns and not to pass laws to justify spending,” said Nur Jazlan who is also the former Public Accounts Committee chairman.

The emergency took effect on January 11 and is to last until August 1, to stem the rising number of Covid-19 infections.

Although Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has denied that the emergency was being used to stay in power, academics and political rivals said it was unnecessary.

With new Covid-19 infections remaining in the 2,000 range, using the emergency to curb new infections appear hollow. There were 2,341 new infections yesterday, with a seven-day average of almost 2,137.

Under the emergency, the government has increased fines for flouting MCO regulations and passed laws to allow the takeover of private healthcare facilities and use government funds without Parliament’s approval.

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was at Istana Negara yesterday to lend support to the Committee for the Cessation of State of Emergency, a grouping of opposition parliamentarians, who were seeking an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to discuss an end to the emergency and restoration of Parliament sittings.

Dr Mahathir had said the Malays are angry with the king for declaring the emergency, which has affected people’s lives.

“We now have seen the sentiments of the Malay people and (today) have sent (a memorandum) to the Agong’s senior private secretary, because the Malays are starting to get angry with the Agong.

“We can see this on social media. This is very unusual, for the Malays to get angry with the ruler,” Dr Mahathir had said.

Like many lawmakers, Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh also said the emergency appears to be limited to Parliament only.

“This is an emergency for Parliament and not Covid-19.

“But the emergency doesn’t look like it’s doing much to fight Covid-19 as the number of new infections continue to rise from January to April,” said Yeoh, a former deputy minister.

The only thing the emergency has done, said Yeoh, was to allow the Perikatan Nasional government to spend money without parliamentary scrutiny.

“Without Parliament, the government cannot be held accountable for its actions and the executive appears to function in lala-land.

“They think they are doing all the right things by announcing food baskets, among others, but are these even reaching the people who need them most?” the DAP leader asked.

Kangar MP Noor Amin Ahmad believes the emergency order is being abused for political reasons.

“The government has not given any clear and proper explanation why the emergency has to last till August 1. Muhyiddin announced the emergency, one day after enforcing MCO 2.0 for different states.”

The 39-year-old PKR lawmaker said the timing of the emergency only confirms what many are thinking.

“Muhyiddin only announced the emergency after two Umno MPs (Machang and Padang Rengas) withdrew their support,” said Noor Amin.

He said the emergency is now being used to stop Parliament from questioning the government while schools, night markets, restaurants are being allowed to open.

“It is simply ridiculous for the executive to deny the right of the legislative to play their role in the decision-making process.

“The fact that the palace has issued a statement that Parliament can convene during the emergency effectively showed the evil side of the current government, who has failed to show leadership,” Noor Amin added. – April 21, 2021.