KUCHING, Nov 3: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has assented to lift the Emergency in Sarawak earlier than the Feb 2, 2022 schedule.
The King has made the decision after considering the request from Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud as well as the advise from Prime Minister Dato Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, a presentation by the Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Azizan Harun and the views of heads of government agencies.
In a statement by the palace today, Acting Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Azuan Effendy Zairakithnaini said the lifting of the emergency in Sarawak is in line with Article 40 and 40(1A) of the Federal Constitution.
“It must be explained that according to Section 2 of the Emergency Ordinance (Essential Powers) (Sarawak) 2021, the proclamation of emergency can be lifted earlier by the King after discussing with the Sarawak Head of State.”
While assenting to the lifting of Emergency earlier, His Majesty at the same time expressed concerns over the risks of Covid-19 infections which may increase should the Sarawak Election be held as the country is still facing pandemic threats and infection level is still at a worrying state.
“Lifting the Emergency is a complicated and hard decision but His Majesty acknowledged that it is essential to fulfil democratic requirements (of the constitution) and return the power to the people to choose and deliver a new mandate for a new government.”
The King continued to hold that the safety and wellbeing of the people shall be of utmost priority in face of personal and political interests.
During an audience with the King yesterday (Nov 2), Taib had conveyed the wish and request of the Sarawak government to end the state of Emergency in Sarawak.
The King had met with Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, Election Commission chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh and National Security Council director-general Datuk Rodzi Saad over the matter.
The ending of the Emergency would pave the way for Sarawak to hold its election within 60 days as the term of current Sarawak Legislative Assembly had expired in June.— DayakDaily
