By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, Oct 25: Saratok MP Ali Biju believed that the proposed implementation of an Emergency Order by the federal government will provide political stability, allow the government to focus its efforts to fight Covid-19 and restore the country’s economy.
Ali, who is Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, in a media statement today said Emergency Orders are provided in Article 150 of the Federal Constitution and thus it is lawful.
He gathered that the Emergency Orders which might be declared by the federal government will just cause the Parliament session to be suspended while business and economic activities will continue to operate as usual.
“From what I have been made to understand, the Emergency Order that is being speculated to be announced soon does not entail military rule or curfews nor any restrictions on economic activities.
“In other words, the rakyat is not going to be burdened at all and it will be business as usual for the shopkeeper towkays and the captains of industries.
“Taxi drivers still get to drive and Tan Sri’s still get to invest in the stock market.
“Only (the) Parliament would be suspended, political activities limited, and wannabe superheros cannot get to spook anyone with their strong, convincing, and formidable superpowers.
So, what seems to be the problem to the rakyat or the economy? My engineering logic tells me that disagreeing with an Emergency (Order) means agreeing to election during a raging pandemic,” he said.
Ali, who is a member of the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), was responding to the comments made by former Attorney-General Tan Sri Tommy Thomas yesterday who claimed that it is unconstitutional to declare emergency at present.
Ali said Thomas himself contradicted his own statement when the latter said Emergency Orders are stated in Article 150 of the Federal Constitution but argued that it was unconstitutional.
Ali, who is an engineer by training, pointed out that what is important now is for all the people to agree that what Malaysia needs is a strong plan to keep everyone safe and healthy, and an economic driven strategy to keep the local industries and businesses running smoothly.
“The last thing we need is to spook our foreign investors with political uncertainties.
“And for the government to continue to drive the fight against this pandemic and for economic recovery to continue uninterrupted, we need a stable political landscape.
“The last time the Hero of Segambut (a veiled reference to opposition leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) pulled his stunt, the stock market got jittery and shares plunged.
“My long-time business friends and the shopkeeper towkays I meet in my constituency all complain that these political stunts and shenanigans are simply bad for business and therefore bad for the country.
“I think we can all agree on this too,” he added.—DayakDaily
