Bipartisan Independent Panel To Advise Agong On Emergency

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An independent committee made up of health experts and bipartisan lawmakers will be set up to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the national emergency, said Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today.
Among the issues the committee will deliberate on is for how long the order needs to be in place.
The emergency is scheduled to take effect until Aug 1 unless the Covid-19 situation permits it to end at an earlier date.
In a televised address after the declaration, Muhyiddin listed out some of the committee's responsibilities but did not state who would be on the committee.
"To ensure the emergency is enforced in a fair and transparent manner, a special independent committee will be established under one ordinance to advise the King whether this national emergency is needed at the federal level [...] or if it is time to end the proclamation earlier than the scheduled date," he said.
Another role will be to determine when GE15 can be held.
"I offer you my firm commitment that as soon as this special independent committee that we will establish determines that the Covid-19 pandemic has subsided or recovered, and it is safe to hold a general election, it will then be up to the people to choose which government they think is qualified to govern this country and take care of your welfare.
"This is my commitment and promise and, God willing, I will fulfil it," Muhyiddin said.
Earlier today, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said through his royal comptroller Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin that he had agreed to the establishment of such an advisory committee.
"Sultan Abdullah has accepted the government's suggestion for an independent committee comprising government and opposition MPs as well as the relevant health experts.
"The independent committee will suggest to His Majesty if the emergency declaration can be called off sooner (than scheduled)," his statement said.
[More to follow] - Mkini

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