2021 Malaysian state of emergency

Coat of arms of Malaysia

2021 Malaysian State of Emergency

The 2021 Malaysian state of emergency was declared by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah of Pahang, on 12 January 2021. This proclamation was made under Article 150 of the Constitution of Malaysia in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia and the political instability within the country.

Background

The state of emergency was declared following a request by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Muhyiddin Yassin, who cited the need to curb the spread of COVID-19 and to stabilize the political situation. Prior to the declaration, Malaysia had been experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, which strained the healthcare system and led to the implementation of various Movement Control Orders (MCOs).

Provisions

Under the state of emergency, the Parliament of Malaysia and all state legislative assemblies were suspended. The government was granted the authority to enact laws without parliamentary approval, and elections were postponed. The Malaysian Armed Forces and other security agencies were given additional powers to enforce public health measures and maintain order.

Impact

The declaration of the state of emergency had significant political and social implications. It led to debates over the necessity and duration of the emergency, with some political parties and civil society groups questioning the motives behind the move. The suspension of parliamentary sessions also meant that the government could not be held accountable through the usual legislative processes.

End of Emergency

The state of emergency was initially set to last until 1 August 2021. However, it was extended until 1 August 2021, when the Yang di-Pertuan Agong decided not to extend it further. The end of the emergency saw the resumption of parliamentary sessions and the lifting of some of the extraordinary measures that had been put in place.

Reactions

The declaration and subsequent handling of the state of emergency received mixed reactions. Supporters argued that it was necessary to control the pandemic and ensure political stability, while critics viewed it as an attempt by the Perikatan Nasional government to cling to power amidst dwindling support.

See Also

• COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
• Movement Control Order
• Constitution of Malaysia
• Yang di-Pertuan Agong
• Muhyiddin Yassin
• Perikatan Nasional