There is no need to extend Emergency, say Rulers

Special meeting: The King and the Rulers holding their meeting at Istana Negara. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA: There is no need to place the country under Emergency beyond Aug 1, declare the Malay Rulers.

In a statement issued by the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, Tan Sri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad, the Rulers concurred with the view of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong that Parliament should be reconvened as soon as possible.

“At state level, the Rulers are also of the view that state legislative assemblies can reconvene soon,” said the statement issued after the Rulers gathered in a special meeting at Istana Negara yesterday.

The meeting of the Rulers was intended to discuss efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

The meeting was attended by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as well as Sultans of Terengganu, Selangor, Johor, Perak, Kedah, Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, the Regent of Pahang and the Raja Muda of Perlis on behalf of Raja Perlis.

On Jan 12, the King, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, decreed that the Emergency be in force up to Aug 1 or earlier if the number of Covid-19 cases can be effectively controlled and effectively brought down.

Syed Danial said the Rulers agreed that political temperature in the country needed to be brought down and that it was important to have a stable government that has the support and confidence of the majority of the people.

“The Rulers concur that lives and livelihoods must be given priority above other matters and for the vaccination drive to be ramped up by minimising bureaucracy so that 80% of the population can be inoculated to achieve the targeted herd immunity quickly,” he said, adding that the Rulers also want measures to tackle Covid-19 to be inclusive and involve various stakeholders.

“In the fight against Covid-19, the Rulers want to see inclusivity and the spirit of willingness to listen, learn, make changes, make improvements, and openness to consider new possibilities, until full support from the people is garnered,” said the statement.

Syed Danial said the Rulers pointed out the importance of respecting the mechanisms for checks and balances between the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary to ensure transparency, integrity and accountability in governance, especially on financial matters and expenditure.