A state of Emergency: Here's what it involves

PETALING JAYA: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah proclaimed a state of emergency nationwide from Tuesday (Jan 12) until Aug 1 to contain further spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In televised speech later, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin explained what the proclamation of a state of Emergency involved. Here are the salient points:

– The state of Emergency is needed to contain the spread of Covid-19

– Government will continue to function

– The Emergency proclamation is not a military coup, no curfew is involved

– The Federal government administration machinery will not be affected

– The Yang di-Pertuan Agong can enact ordinances to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 and facilitate medical services

– Economic activities will go on, subject to standard operating procedures

– Bursa Malaysia and Securities Commission will continue to play a role as a market facilitator

– No general, state or by-elections will be held

– Parliament will not meet

– GE will only be held when an independent panel agrees that the pandemic over and is safe to proceed

– All politicians need to stand in solidarity with the people to prevent Covid-19

– People should remain calm and trust the government

– Strict action will be taken against anyone who tries to disrupt the government's handling of Covid-19 and the country's economy

- The Perikatan government will continue to defend the independence of the judiciary

- Malaysia is still open for business