Emergency: Civilian govt will continue to function as usual - PM

The prime minister said the Cabinet, in advising Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, was of the view that a state of emergency for the whole country had to be declared in view of the rising number of COVID-19 infections that do not seem to show any indication of going down anytime soon.

“Therefore, the government needs certain powers to ensure the pandemic can be contained more effectively and health services are not incapacitated.

“The administrative machinery of the federal and state governments will not be affected by the emergency,” he said in a special address in conjunction with the proclamation of the emergency aired by television stations today.

Al-Sultan Abdullah today proclaimed an emergency that will be enforced up to Aug 1 as a proactive measure to contain the worsening COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia.

Datuk Pengelola Bijaya Diraja of Istana Negara, Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, said in a statement that His Majesty decreed that the emergency be in force up to that date, or earlier if the number of positive COVID-19 cases can be effectively controlled and reduced.

Muhyiddin also said that the proclamation of emergency was not a military coup, adding that no curfew will be enforced.

He said the Emergency Ordinance was declared to enhance security enforcement and public order at a time when the nation was battling the COVID-19 pandemic.

"In addition, the necessary powers under this Ordinance will also be used to facilitate matters and overcome regulations that make it difficult to deliver public health services quickly, efficiently and effectively during this pandemic," he said.