KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 — The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has decided that there is no need to enforce a state of emergency following a plea by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for the King to consider implementing one.
A statement by the Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said the decision was made after the meeting today between the King and seven other Malay Rulers that took place at the Istana Negara this afternoon.
“Al-Sultan Abdullah is of the opinion that there is no need right now for His Royal Highness to declare a state of emergency for the country or any other parts of Malaysia,” read Ahmad Fadil’s statement.
The King had expressed his satisfaction with the current administration’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, and is said to have faith in the government under Muhyiddin’s leadership to continue in the same vein and for them to implement the necessary policies and enforcement tactics.
The statement went on to explain how Muhyiddin had requested for the state of emergency to be declared under Article 150 (2B) of the Federal Constitution concerning the proclamation of an emergency.
Article 150(2B) of the Federal Constitution spells out the prerogative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to declare a state of emergency if he is satisfied that certain circumstances exist which render it necessary for him to take such immediate action, and to subsequently announce his decision.
Earlier today, Al-Sultan Abdullah had met with the Sultans of Johor, Perak, Kedah, Terengganu, Negri Sembilan, Perlis and Selangor for almost three hours to discuss the proposal set forward by the government seeking for the emergency be declared.
Ahmad Fadil’s statement today also included a warning from the Agong directed at politicians looking to unsettle the country’s administration.
“However, His Royal Highness wishes to remind all politicians to stop all forms of ‘politicking’ that can upset the stability of the country’s government.
“Al-Sultan Abdullah also feels that there is no need for any Member of Parliament to continue with their irresponsible actions that can ultimately unsettle the stability of the existing government,” read the statement.
The Agong also highlighted the importance of the upcoming Budget 2021 that is set to be tabled in Parliament next month, saying the funds that are to be allocated would be imperative to heal the country’s economy, while ensuring sufficient funds for frontliners to continue carrying out their duties.
Al-Sultan Abdullah also expressed his concerns of the recent spike in the number of Covid-19 cases, and expressed his confidence in the people of Malaysia uniting and banding together, like they have done before, to combat the third wave of infections.
“In relation to that, His Royal Highness calls upon all the rakyat, regardless of their backgrounds and especially their political understandings, to set aside all differences and quarrels and remain united in playing our roles to help the government and authorities contain the Covid-19 infection for our safety and the prosperity of our beloved country,” he wrote.
Prevailing rumours emerged on Wednesday that Muhyiddin would seek to invoke “emergency powers” to prop up his administration that was under challenge from Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, ostensibly to prevent a general election alongside Covid-19.
These rumours accelerated after Muhyddin rushed to meet the Agong in the Pahang palace on Friday, which led to a meeting of the Malay Rulers today.
Anwar was granted a royal audience earlier this month with Al-Sultan Abdullah in which the former claimed to have gained the support of “over 120 MPs” to take over the government.
Muhyiddin was appointed as the prime minister in March after former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad resigned unprompted less than two years into his term.
