Harapan: Independent committee hasn't decided on emergency end date

 

The independent committee advising the king on ending the emergency hasn’t made any decisions yet, said its Pakatan Harapan members.

“Thus far, the committee hasn’t finalised any decision regarding extending or ending the emergency to be presented to his majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” the MPs said in a joint statement.

The statement was signed by Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (PKR-Kulim Bandar Bharu), Dzulkefly Ahmad (Amanah-Kuala Selangor), and Anthony Loke (DAP-Seremban).

Established under Section 2(1) of the Emergency Ordinance 2021, the 19-member independent committee has one job - to advise the Agong on when the emergency should end.

The independent committee has thus far kept its proceedings and reports under wrap.

Its chairperson Arifin Zakaria said their reports are for the king’s eyes only. Arifin had met the king yesterday.

The Harapan statement came as the Conference of Rulers convened today to discuss the Covid-19 situation and views from political leaders who met the king over the past week.

The emergency is tentatively set to end on Aug 1.

The Harapan trio in their statement said their stance was that the emergency was not required, and that the government can deal with the Covid-19 crisis just with a stricter movement control order (MCO).

They also reiterated their view that Parliament should convene immediately to provide checks and balances.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday said Parliament would convene once the country enters Phase Three of the government’s Covid-19 exit plan.

To enter Phase Three, Covid-19 cases must drop below an average of 2,000 cases per day, available ICU beds are “sufficient” and 40 percent of the population are vaccinated.

Muhyiddin estimated that these conditions may be met in September at the earliest. - Mkini