No necessity to declare Emergency - Agong

KUALA LUMPUR: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah today stated that there was no necessity for an Emergency to be declared in the country.

Comptroller of the Royal Household of Istana Negara, Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamuddin informed that Al-Sultan Abdullah stated that the decision was made after studying carefully the request presented by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and discussed with the Malay rulers, besides looking at the current situation in the country.

“Al-Sultan Abdullah is of the view that there was no necessity currently for His Majesty to declare an Emergency in this country or any part of Malaysia.

“His Majesty feels that the government at present has managed to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic well and effectively.

“His Majesty much believes in the government’s capability under the leadership of the Prime Minister to continue implementing policies and enforcement actions to curb the spread of COVID-19,” he said in a statement, here, today.

Ahmad Fadil said Al-Sultan Abdullah had studied the request submitted by Muhyiddin at an audience with the King at Istana Abdulaziz in Kuantan, Pahang on Friday.

The request was made under Article 150(1) of the Emergency Ordinance and Proclamation of the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2020, in accordance with Article 150(2B) of the Federal Constitution in combating the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

Ahmad Fadil said the King also reminded politicians to immediately stop the politicking which could destabilise the country.

He said Al-Sultan Abdullah opined that the Members of Parliament needed not continue with their actions which could threaten the stability of the current government.

“His Majesty stressed that the Budget 2021 to be tabled at the sitting of Parliament is very important to the people in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and reviving the country’s economy.

“Thus, a financial allocation is much needed by the frontliners to smoothen their tasks and responsibilities,” he added.

Ahmad Fadil said the King was very concerned about the people worry over the sudden emergence of several new clusters and the spike in COVID-19 positive cases in this country.

He said Al-Sultan Abdullah, however, expressed confidence that with a high level of unity and fighting spirit as had been demonstrated together before, all parties would once again be strongly united, this time fighting the third wave of the COVID-19 outbreak.

“In this regard, His Majesty called on the people regardless of their background and political ideology, to put aside their differences and quarrels so as to unite and play their role in helping the government and relevant authorities curb the spread of COVID-19 for everyone’s safety and the country’s prosperity.

“Al-Sultan Abdullah also called on the people to together with His Majesty, pray that the COVID-19 pandemic could be combated effectively and end soon,” he added.

Earlier, the Special Meeting of the Malay Rulers took place for almost three hours at Istana Negara, here.

It was held to study and consider the proposals presented last Friday by Muhyiddin and a number of accompanying cabinet ministers to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Abdulaziz in Kuantan.

-- BERNAMA