THE emergency order imposed in January has managed to keep the Covid-19 infectivity rate low and the number of cases down in the country, said Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah today. 

In a joint press conference with Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the director-general of health said the emergency allowed for the postponement of by-elections and elections that could possibly cause a higher number of Covid-19 cases. 

“The emergency brought down the infectivity rate and new cases. It was also used to postpone by-elections, for instance in Batu Sapi and the Sarawak elections. 

“We learnt from the incident in Sabah where cases went high after the state elections. In India too, cases surged because there were five elections held,” said Noor Hisham.

In January, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah declared a state of emergency for the country until August 1 to curb the increasing number of Covid-19 infections.

The king consented to the proposal from Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s cabinet.

The state of emergency has been criticised by opposition politicians, civil societies and increasingly by members of the public as it has not led to a drop in virus cases.

Parliament and state legislative assemblies have also been suspended, prompting criticism over the lack of checks and balances on government decisions and spending. – May 11, 2021.