Without the Emergency, people still complied with SOPs - Tun M

KUALA LUMPUR: The Proclamation of Emergency has not helped the government to manage the COVID-19 pandemic better.

Former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, while saying this in the latest post on his blog chedet.cc, added that all COVID-19 containment measures can be implemented based on existing laws.

Dr Mahathir added that the people had never violated the prescribed standard operating procedures (SOPs) even without the declaration of Emergency previously.

"People accept the high compounds or jail sentences imposed when they disobey the set SOPs," he said.

The government had previously declared a state of emergency effective January 11 until August 1, with the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

Commenting further, Dr Mahathir said the provisions in the Emergency Ordinance supercede the Federal Constitution - the supreme law of the country.

"So, every interim measure taken under the ordinance is superceding the Federal Constitution. The Federal Government is protected against any action, suit, prosecution or any other proceeding in any court.

"The immunity of the Prime Minister and his government against any legal action is further strengthened by the effective suspension of Parliament

“Normally, a motion of no-confidence against the Prime Minister if passed in Parliament would result in its overthrow.," he explained.

Therefore, Dr Mahathir said, the only means left is the General Election.

He stressed that if elections are not held within the next five years, the Perikatan Nasional government will remain in power.

"Already several laws have been promulgated by this government which supercede even existing laws including Constitutional laws. The supreme laws of the country no longer prevail.

"The country is now ruled by decree. There is no longer any democracy. The voice of the people in a functioning democracy is via Parliament. But it is not open.

“The only description we can make of this government is that it is a dictatorship,” he said.