PM: Independence of the judiciary assured during Emergency period

An electronic shop worker wearing a face mask watches a live broadcast of Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin at a shopping outlet in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021. -AP

PETALING JAYA: The Perikatan Nasional government will continue to defend the independence of the judiciary and will never interfere with the courts, including during an Emergency, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

"The Perikatan government will continue to defend the independence of the judiciary.

"The judiciary will continue to be the beacon of justice in this country, and I will never interfere in the business of the courts," said Muhyiddin in a live television address on Tuesday (Jan 11).

Muhyiddin said that during the extraordinary times that the Rakyat and the nation are facing, it was vital for politicians to set aside their differences and come together in solidarity with the Rakyat.

"When it is time for politics, then let's do so responsibly," he said.

Muhyiddin also pleaded with Malaysians to remain calm and place their trust in and fullly support the government to curb the spread of Covid-19 in a more effective manner during the Emergency period.

He also pleaded with all politicians, civil society leaders, non-governmental organisations, religious bodies, youth organisations, and everyone in the society to cooperate to face these tough times.

"The most important goal is to win the war against Covid-19," he said.

Muhyiddin urged the rakyat to exercise stricter discipline during the movement control order as well as the Emergency periods.

"We hope we can reduce the infection rate of Covid-19 immediately and reduce the stress on our health system that is burdened by the increasing number of positive Covid-19 cases daily," he added.