‘Do not undermine democracy’

 

Usual routine: Marketgoers wearing face masks and shopping as usual at the Bayan Baru public market during the recovery MCO in Penang. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

PETALING JAYA: Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has described the government’s proposal to invoke a state of emergency as a way to curb the parliamentary process and a descent into dictatorship and authoritarianism.

The PKR president said that such an attempt has revealed “incompetence” by the Perikatan Nasional government in handling the Covid-19 pandemic.

“A state of emergency is declared when there is a threat to our national security.

“But when the government itself is the source of that threat, then a state of emergency is nothing more than the descent into dictatorship and authoritarianism.

“I strongly advise Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to consider the legacy of these actions he is taking out of self-interest and selfishness.

“By seeking emergency powers, the Perikatan government reveals its sheer incompetence in handling the Covid-19 health and economic crisis.

“While the rest of Asia is looking for ways to manage the virus and reopen their economies safely, Malaysia is heading in the opposite direction, ” said Anwar in a statement.

In Nibong Tebal, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the Federal Government should consult state governments before making any important decision such as declaring an Emergency.

He said that other than the King, the state governments were entitled to be consulted first before any such declaration.

“We want to be consulted first, it is a very big decision, ” he told reporters after the ground-breaking ceremony of an affordable housing project in Ladang Kalidonia yesterday.

Parti Amanah Nasional said that a proclamation of an Emergency could adversely impact the economy and Malaysia’s image in the eyes of foreign investors and the global community.

“If the news (claiming that the Prime Minister has allegedly advised the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to proclaim an Emergency) is true, we strongly object.

“An effective communication strategy is required to deliver clear messages to the rakyat on measures that need to be undertaken (to contain the spread of the virus), ” the party said in a statement yesterday. - Star

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