PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is spearheading an effort to get the King to call off the Emergency proclamation.
The Opposition leader and PKR president has written to all MPs to send a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong calling for the move and for Parliament to convene.
“In the letter, I’ve suggested for all MPs to table an appeal immediately.
“May this letter obtain the endorsement and wisdom of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to withdraw the Emergency proclamation and subsequently decree a Parliament session to be held before Jan 31 to debate issues on the Emergency, Covid-19 and the economic crisis.”
Anwar said this in a statement on Thursday (Jan 14) after the letter that was distributed to MPs was also shared with the media.
In the letter to the MPs, Anwar said present measures were adequate to address Covid-19 and a state of Emergency was not required, as the current economic crisis is resulting in increasing unemployment and poverty.
“An Emergency will definitely cause the position of the economy to be shakier, ” he said.
In the letter, Anwar also suggested the MPs to send in the memorandum before Friday (Jan 15).
“I have prepared a draft letter that is to be presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong that can be amended and adjusted according to you or your party’s consideration, ” he added.
On Tuesday (Jan 12), the King had decreed for the Emergency until Aug 1 or earlier if the number of Covid-19 cases can be effectively controlled and brought down.
The state of emergency was enforced nationwide from Tuesday (Jan 12) as a proactive measure to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
