Harapan nominates Saifuddin, Loke, Dzulkefly to emergency committee

 

Pakatan Harapan has submitted three names for the independent committee to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on how long the emergency would last.

The Harapan representatives are PKR's Kulim-Bandar Bharu MP Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, DAP's Seremban MP Anthony Loke, and Amanah's Kuala Selangor MP Dzulkefly Ahmad.

"The participation of the opposition in the independent committee does not change our stance that the reasons presented by the prime minister on the need for an emergency are unacceptable.

"We, together with the majority of MPs, stand by our opinion that the emergency needs to end and Parliament convened immediately," the Harapan secretariat said in a joint statement.

The statement was signed by Saifuddin, Loke, and Amanah's Hatta Ramli.

The emergency was declared on Jan 12, ostensibly to enable the government to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

Critics, however, accused the government of seeking the emergency for political reasons after the Perikatan Nasional Plus government lost its majority after two Umno MPs withdrew support.

Pakatan Harapan has written to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, calling for the emergency to be rescinded and for Parliament to reconvene.

Umno is also making similar efforts. - Mkini