Malaysian king declares state of emergency to fight virus
- par Thibaud Popelin
- dans Monde
- — Jan 12, 2021
In line with the emergency, Muhyiddin said national border control would also be tightened by empowering military personnel as well as the police and the immigration to arrest illegal immigrants and those who encroached the country's borders.
King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah's suspended the national parliament and state legislatures for an unspecified period of time under the nation's new virus restrictions.
Muhyiddin had previously requested for a state of emergency to be declared in October 2020 but the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had decided that it wasn't necessary.
An emergency declaration allows for the suspension of parliament and political activities at a time when Muhyiddin's 10-month old government looks increasingly unstable, and is likely to spark criticism he is undermining democracy.
Earlier, he also said the threat to Malaysia's economy due to a sustained spike in Covid-19 cases was the reason the King agreed to proclaim a state of Emergency in the country.
"In this context, several emergency ordinances may be declared by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the goal of curbing the Covid-19 epidemic which includes matters relating to the use of private hospital assets, taking temporary ownership of buildings or properties of private hospitals or making requests for the use of private hospital resources for medical purposes of Covid-19 patients".
The King was also further briefed by Chief Secretary Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, Election Commission Chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador, and Chief of Armed Forces Tan Sri Affendi Buang.
Malaysia is still open for business.
The prime minister, in his speech, also acknowledged that there have been parties strongly urging for general elections to be held, considering the current political instability.
Private hospitals will assist the public health care system to manage non-Covid and some Covid-19 patients based on individual hospital capacity and capability, the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia (APHM) said today. This is my commitment and a commitment that I will fulfil, God-willing. Whoever tries to interfere and interrupt the government's effort in managing this Covid-19 pandemic and the country's economy, stern action will be taken for the sake of the people's wellbeing and country's safety. "When the time comes for politics, then be politically responsible", he called on the politicians.
