Restore Parliament to end nationwide anxiety, demand civil society groups

Some 41 NGOs and civil society organisations are urging for the restoration of Parliament to end nationwide anxiety caused by inadequate safety nets in the ongoing state of emergency and movement control order (MCO).

“Without effective checks and balances, the state of emergency has undermined parliamentary democracy in the country.

“This has led to arbitrary actions by the executive without the necessary accountability,” the organisations said in a statement today.

The 41 groups come from a wide range of backgrounds and include Akademi Literasi Politik (SHIELD), G25 Malaysia, IMAN Research, Kuala Lumpur And Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH), and Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram).

The groups claimed that the enforcement of the state of emergency failed to create a positive impact on the management of the Covid-19 health crisis.

“The country is not only experiencing a health crisis, but also economic and social crises.

“Malaysians continue to be burdened without adequate protection.

“The wellbeing of the family institution is threatened, leading to a variety of psychological and social problems.

“Children's education is affected, especially for households that do not have internet access or appropriate devices,” the groups said.

The statement comes after a series of meetings held by the Yang-Di-Pertuan Agong in the past week to discuss the country’s Covid-19 situation with various political leaders.

In addition to their call for Parliament to reconvene, the 41 groups recommended that the state of emergency should not be extended beyond Aug 1.

In January, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah consented to a Declaration of Emergency Proclamation based on Clause (1) Article 150 of the Federal Constitution - which is set to last until Aug 1.

The groups are also demanding for a whole-of-society approach - which involves MPs across the political divide, NGOs, civil society organisations, professionals, technocrats as well as experts - to tackle the social and Covid-19 health crisis plaguing the country and its economy. - Mkini