Covid-19: King Declares State of Emergency To Fight Coronavirus

Covid-19: King Declares State of Emergency To Fight Coronavirus

The emergency will last until August 1 or earlier depending on the state of Covid-19 infections

Photo: Bernama 

BREAKING NEWS TAKEN FROM WWW.NST.COM.MY

The King has agreed to proclaim a State of Emergency nationwide until Aug 1.

Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, in a statement today, said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri' ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah had decreed that a State of Emergency be implemented to control the Covid-19 outbreak in the country.

"His Majesty decrees that the state of emergency be proclaimed until Aug 1, or until an earlier date, if the daily number of positive Covid-19 cases can be controlled and effectively lowered," said Ahmad Fadil.

Photo: in.finance.yahoo.com

This was decided after the King's audience with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at Istana Negara yesterday, and after briefings by top government officials.

They include Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali; Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun; Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Affendi Buang; Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador; Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah; and Election Commission chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh.

The matter, he said, had also taken into account consultations by His Majesty with the Malay Rulers.

"The King is of the view that Covid-19 transmissions in the country are at a very critical level and that there is a need to proclaim an emergency, based on Clause 1 under Article 150 of the Federal Constitution."

He also said the King had agreed to the government's proposal to form an independent committee, which would be composed of government and opposition Members of Parliament, as well as health and other related experts.

The independent committee would advise the King on whether the enforcement of the State of Emergency could be terminated earlier.

"It is also based on current Covid-19 statistics, and the constraints in logistics and facilities in the states, in particular, presented during the briefing session.

"It should be emphasised that His Majesty is very concerned about the safety of the people, especially at this time where some states are still facing floods.

"His Majesty also expressed his concern over the disaster and the sharp spike in Covid-19 infections in the country.

"If it is not curbed and controlled effectively, then it will be detrimental to the health of the people and the country's wellbeing," added Ahmad Fadil.

He said that the King had advised the people to remain calm and resilient during the implementation of this emergency and the Movement Control Order (MCO) for the security and benefit of all.

The King, he added, had also urged the people to be disciplined in adhering to the standard operating procedures (SOP) and all rules set by the government and government agencies during the emergency and MCO.

"His Majesty expresses his confidence that with strong spirits and the cooperation of the public as demonstrated during the MCO last year, we are able to once again stop the spread of the pandemic in the country.

"The King also expresses hope that the Covid-19 vaccine, which will be received soon, will flatten the curve, thus breaking the transmission chain in Malaysia."

Ahmad Fadil said the King expressed his deep appreciation to frontliners who are working tirelessly to fight the virus and called upon Malaysians to pray that the country is protected from any form of threats and that the pandemic can end soon.

"His Majesty also calls upon the people to pray that the floods which hit several states would not last too long."

Full Article Taken From www.nst.com.my