Reassess the need for a state of emergency, says Suhakam

 

Suhakam says past declarations of emergency had resulted in the suspension of Parliament and violations of fundamental liberties.

PETALING JAYA: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has urged the Perikatan Nasional government to reassess the need to declare a state of emergency due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

It said the members of the administration needed to respect the rule of law and uphold the people’s fundamental liberties under the Federal Constitution.

The Suhakam statement comes amid widespread speculation about a possible state of emergency or partial emergency, with opposition politicians accusing the government of seeking to prolong its hold on power.

A coalition of civil society groups called CSO Platform for Reform accused the government today of seeking a state of emergency “to thwart the challenge posed against their leadership in Parliament” and to avoid scrutiny of the 2021 national budget.

No details have yet emerged about what the government has proposed.

Suhakam said an emergency declaration “may lead to further instability in the country and among the people”.

It said four previous declarations of emergency had resulted in the suspension of Parliament, a worsening economy and violations of fundamental liberties.

The commission also said the Covid-19 crisis did not pose a threat to national security, and that current measures were sufficient to contain the pandemic. - FMT