Do we need emergency declaration right now?

 

One cannot deny, from time to time, a country may fall into crisis. And in a severe crisis, certain normalcies may have to be suspended. We also recognise that in some extreme circumstances, democratic practices could be temporarily interrupted to allow rapid responses to critical challenges.

The key question is that whether Malaysia is currently in a situation warrants such a drastic measure.

Here, people deserve a clear explanation of what is the nature of the threats faced by this country. The people voted for MPs and parties to administrate the country but not a blank cheque to govern.

As an Emergency Order has very serious and wide-ranging implications (some which we may not presently anticipate), the government must be transparent for such an extraordinary decision.

One must also be aware that whenever a state of emergency is proclaimed, no matter what noble grounds cited as the rationale, it leads to a perception of doubt towards the governing institution itself.

In the eyes of the general public (as well as the global community), an Emergency Order exposes the insecurities and weaknesses of those in power. The members of the ruling coalition must seriously deliberate whether the risk of declaring an emergency is worth taking.

Understandably, certain quarters are genuinely concerned that the ongoing political tussles could hinder the capacity of the responsible authorities to combat the spread of Covid-19. Rightly so. Nevertheless, it is also reasonable to question the wisdom for a heavy-handed move. Will the suspension of the democratic process provide the remedy or worsen the problems?

Muhyiddin Yassin's government can take pride for an impressive record in handling Covid-19. Malaysia is one of the few countries which has successfully demonstrated positive results in containing the outbreak during the first phase of the pandemic.

However, it is certain that the fight against Covid-19 will be a long perpetual war. As the health authority repeatedly reiterated, the whole nation must be involved and take responsibility to ensure the victory of the counter-Covid campaign. For this reason, the next phase of the campaign cannot be merely directed by a centralised command structure.

As the impact of Covid-19 is beyond health, not an aspect of our livelihood is not affected. A more effective vehicle to manage this protracted campaign is needed. It is time for the government to move away from a security-centric approach.

To ensure a more inclusive consultative process, we should create a Counter Covid-19 Council with a greater representation of the society at large. Such a body must be represented by the business community, civil society, and political parties of both sides.

Instead of using Covid-19 to consolidate or grab power for any particular parties, the war against the virus should be seized as an opportunity for nation-building. To achieve this aim, Covid-19 cannot be an excuse to subvert democracy; rather democracy is the most effective means to combat Covid-19.

Besides health concerns, we must be mindful over the serious economic implications of the Emergency Order. The pandemic has already dragged the national economy into recession. We cannot afford to erode public confidence in government policies further.

Any decision by the government without being adequately scrutinised by the Parliament lacks legitimacy and confidence. If policy mistakes unchecked by a functioning democratic and transparent mechanism, it could cause serious harm to the public interest.

In the history of Malaysia, this is probably the first time the ruling government is worried that the Parliament may not approve the budget bills. However, this situation should not be viewed negatively. It indeed should be welcomed as a healthy indication that our parliamentary democracy is progressing and fulfilling its role of check-and-balance.

Justifiably, the government is nervous over the consequences of not being able to pass the Supply Bills. Nonetheless, the response to such uncertainty should not be a more regressive move.

Again, it is up to the government to take the initiative to engage and dialogue with MPs from both divides to ensure that their inputs and ideas are properly incorporated into financial planning. A functioning Parliament is not a hindrance but a useful forum to facilitate consensus for the greater welfare of the nation.

In order to restore public confidence in the post-movement control order recovery, the ruling coalition must themselves display trust in the system and the institutions. Bypassing democratic procedures will only undermine the morale of the citizens.

Many in the business sector are in a state of limbos and in frail financial grounds. A large segment of the population is in danger of losing their jobs or even livelihood. While prioritising the security and continuity of his administration, the prime minister should not lose sight of balancing public interest and political stability.

In short, all sectors must be mindful of the colossal challenges ahead. Any hasty ill-conceived decision may bring upon irreversible damage to future generations. Extreme caution must be deliberated before a risky step is taken.

What the country needs right now is not an Emergency Order, more urgently it needs greater inclusivity. There is no other more critical moment for the whole nation to come together to save ourselves. To undercut democracy is surely not a good step forward.

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TIAN CHUA is PKR vice-president. - Mkini

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.