KUCHING, 4 August: The current Emergency Ordinance 2021 in Sarawak is not an extension of the previous ordinance that applies to the whole of Malaysia.
Rather, it is a new ordinance specifically tailor-made for Sarawak, said Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar.
“This is separate and distinct from the previous Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021,” he said during a media briefing at the DUN building today.
He added that the current Ordinance in effect is flexible and may be terminated at an earlier date.
“The dates of 2 August to 2 February are not ironclad as it can be revoked or terminated by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in consultation with the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak,” explained Amar Mohd Asfia.
At the same time, the current status of the existing State Legislative Assembly remains status quo and the laws under clause (3) of Article 21 of the Constitution of the State of Sarawak which states that legislative assembly is to be dissolved after five years shall have no effect.
“The Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) shall be dissolved on the date the Proclamation of Emergency is revoked or annulled,” he remarked.
Additionally, the state election must be held within 60 days from the date of DUN’s dissolution.
Previously, the Sarawak DUN term which was due to expire on 7 June and subsequently 1 August, is postponed indefinitely after the Proclamation of Emergency in Sarawak by the YDP Agong last week.
“Whilst we are heading towards herd immunity, we must seek the elimination of the pandemic. At the same time, we must prepare for the election because it is inevitable,” he concluded.
