KUALA LUMPUR: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah in a statement issued by Istana Negara today, is of the opinion that there is no need to declare a state of Emergency in the whole country or any parts of the country.
Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is of the view that the government has managed the Covid-19 pandemic, which has entered the third wave in several parts of the country, well and effectively.
Ahmad Fadil said the King believed that the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is capable of implementing policies and enforcement measures to contain the pandemic from escalating and spreading.
"Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has agreed to look into the application that was presented by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to His Majesty at Istana Abdul Aziz, Kuantan, Pahang on Friday.
"The application is for the proclamation of emergency under Article 150 and proclamation Emergency (Essential Powers 2020) Ordinance pursuant to Article 150 (2B) of the Federal Constitution to combat the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.
"After deliberating and consulting with the Malay Rulers as well as taking into consideration the situation beleaguering the country, Al-Sultan Abdullah is of the view that the present government has managed to deal with the pandemic effectively.
"Al-Sultan Abdullah is also of the view that at the moment, there is no need for His Majesty to make an emergency proclamation nationwide or for any part of the country," read the statement.
Ahmad Fadil said the King reiterates his reminder for all politicians to stop any form of politicking which can disrupt the country's administration.
Al-Sultan Abdullah, he said, was also of the opinion that there was no need for any members of Parliament to continue with any irresponsible action that could undermine the stability of the current administration.
"The King stresses that the 2021 Budget, scheduled to be tabled in Parliament, is very crucial to the people in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and to restore the country's economy.
"The financial allocation is very much needed for the frontliners to carry out their duties and responsibilities accordingly," the statement said.
Al-Sultan Abdullah, he said, was very concerned about anxiety among the people stemming from the surge of daily Covid-19 cases and emergence of new clusters that were detected in several parts of the country over the past weeks.
Nevertheless, Ahmad Fadil said the King expressed his confidence that the unity and high spirit displayed among the people in joining hands could fight the third wave of the pandemic.
"In this regard, His Majesty calls on all the people, irrespective of background and in particular political ideology, to set aside all differences and unite as well as play their respective roles in helping the government and the authorities contain the pandemic not only to protect themselves from the virus but also for the well-being of the nation.
"Al-Sultan Abdullah also takes this opportunity to invite the people to join His Majesty and pray that the pandemic can be eliminated effectively and immediately," the statement said.
Ahead of the announcement by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, speculation was rife that the government was mulling to declare a state of emergency that entails the proroguing of Parliament.
Earlier today the King chaired a special meeting with the Malay Rulers at Istana Negara, here.
Sultan of Johor, Sultan Iskandar Ibrahim was among the first to arrive, followed by Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who arrived in a Rolls-Royce accompanied by police patrols at about 2.15pm.
Shortly after, the Sultan of Kedah, Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, arrived at about 2.17pm, followed by Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, five minutes later.
Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Almarhum Tuanku Munawir, arrived minutes later.
The Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail, arrived at 2.28pm, followed two minutes later by the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah.
Muhyiddin on Friday had chaired a special cabinet meeting at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya near here following the worsening Covid-19 situation in the country.
Apart from Cabinet members, vehicles with Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Affendi Buang and Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun were also seen entering.
After the meeting ended around noon, Muhyiddin went straight to Kuantan, Pahang to present the outcome of the special cabinet meeting and his proposal to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Abdul Aziz in Indera Mahkota.