Decision On State Of Emergency Lies With The Agong

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Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) communications director Khalid Samad, who is also Shah Alam member of parliament and chairman of the committee, submitted the memorandum to the King’s representative at Gate 3 of Istana Negara. - NSTP/HAIRUL ANUAR RAHIMKUALA LUMPUR: Several members of parliament, claiming to represent a committee seeking to appeal for the State of Emergency to be ended, today submitted a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to appeal their cause.
Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) communications director Khalid Samad, who is also Shah Alam member of parliament and chairman of the committee, submitted the memorandum to the King's representative at Gate 3 of Istana Negara at 3.20pm this evening.
"We ask that the Emergency be ended and for Parliament to convene as usual," he told the media after submitting the memorandum.
Present were former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad; Amanah president Mohamad Sabu (Kota Raja MP); who is also Lembah Pantai MP; Pejuang president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, PKR communications director and Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil and Petaling MP Maria Chin Abdullah.
The memorandum was submitted to the King's senior private secretary, Colonel (Rtd) Datuk Nazim Mohd Alim.
Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir, who is also Langkawi MP, said the decision to bring an end to the Emergency or otherwise lies with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
"The people are restless, they are uneasy (with the Emergency). As such, we have to present this matter (call to end the Emergency) to the King," he said.
Dr Mahathir together with Khalid and Mohamad entered the palace gates around 3.15pm and exited around half an hour later.
On Jan 12, the King decreed that a State of Emergency would be in place until Aug 1, 2021 or a suitable date earlier if the daily Covid-19 figures can be managed and reduced effectively.
The King also consented to the government's suggestion that an independent committee comprising government and opposition MPs as well as healthcare experts be formed.
Sultan Abdullah issued the decree for the State of Emergency to take place as a proactive measure to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic shortly after granting an audience to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at Istana Negara. - NST

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