Administrative machinery not affected by emergency proclamation - KSN

Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, in a statement today, said the situation was different from the Emergency Proclamation in 1969, which was due to security threats, and resulted in tight control by the security forces to deal with the tense situation at that time.

Mohd Zuki said the emergency proclaimed by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah was to curb the alarming spread of COVID-19 which could compromise three fundamental elements in Article 150 of the Federal Constitution.

“This approach will ensure the stability of the country and allow the government to focus on efforts to revive the economy for the people’s prosperity and wellbeing,” he said.

The King today proclaimed an emergency that will be enforced until Aug 1 as a proactive measure to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia.

Mohd Zuki assured that members of the civil service would remain committed to ensuring the government delivery system is not affected, based on the laws and government policies decided from time to time.

“The civil service and I will remain loyal to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and support the Emergency Proclamation by fulfilling our duties as enshrined in the Federal Constitution and hold firmly to the Civil Service pledge to provide the best service to the people and the country,” he said.

The King has decreed that the emergency can be withdrawn earlier than Aug 1 if the number of COVID-19 cases can be effectively controlled and reduced.

Al-Sultan Abdullah has also consented to a government proposal to set up an independent committee, comprising government and opposition members of Parliament and health experts, which will make recommendations to His Majesty if it deems fit that the emergency can be withdrawn much earlier (than Aug 1).