KUCHING: The Emergency Proclamation that was issued on 11 January 2021 and ends on Sunday, 1 August 2021, will be extended until 2 February 2022 in Sarawak.
A new proclamation was made by His Majesty The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri-Ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah, on Thursday, 29 July, and gazetted by the Federal Government on Friday, 30 July.
The proclamation will be laid before Parliament pursuant to Clause (3) of Article 150 of the Federal Constitution.
According to the gazette, it was made because the security, economic life and public order in the Federation of Malaysia are still being threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pursuant to Clause (3) of Article 21 of the Sarawak State Constitution, the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) should have been dissolved on 7 June 2021.
However, the said clause had no effect because of paragraph 15(1)[a] of the Emergency [Essential Powers] Ordinance 2021 which suspended the dissolution of the DUN.
The paragraph is supposed to cease to have effect on Monday, 2 August, after which the State Election is supposed to be held within 60 days in accordance with Clause [4] of Article 21 of the State Constitution.
However, a new proclamation had been issued to prevent any further increase in the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic if an election is held.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued today, the Prime Minister’s Office said that the Emergency Proclamation had to be issued to postpone the State Election and prevent the pandemic from becoming more serious in Sarawak.
However, it gave the assurance that Sarawak will hold the election as soon as it ends or is terminated earlier.
It also explained that the Federal Cabinet, in a meeting on 21 July, had agreed to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to grant His Majesty’s consent to the proclamation for the whole State after the current Emergency ends on 1 August.
The Chief Minister’s Office also issued a statement, saying that the State Government fully supported the proclamation and the Emergency Ordinance for Sawarak.
“With this provision, it will be guaranteed that the mandate of the people will be obtained as soon as the pandemic situation is under control,” it said.
The State Government was confident that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s consent was in line with its stand to always prioritise the safety and welfare of the people of Sarawak as well as uphold parliamentary democracy.
