PH names trio as nominees for emergency committee

Pakatan Harapan (PH) has submitted the names of three former ministers, one from each of the parties that make up the coalition, to be part of the bipartisan emergency committee to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

They are PKR’s Saifuddin Nasution, DAP’s Loke Siew Fook and Amanah’s Dzulkefly Ahmad.

But in a statement, the coalition said the three would recommend that the Agong revoke the Covid-19 emergency declared last week.

It also said its opposition to the proclamation remains.

“The participation of opposition representatives in the bipartisan committee will not change our stand in rejecting the reasons given by the prime minister for the emergency,” it said.

PH’s statement today came after threats to boycott the bipartisan committee on the state of emergency announced on Jan 12 after weeks of spikes in daily cases, ahead of the return of the movement control order in large parts of the country.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had assured that a civilian government would remain despite the suspension of Parliament to prevent snap polls, with daily activities allowed throughout the emergency period ending Aug 1.

PH leader Anwar Ibrahim however launched a petition campaign urging MPs to write to the palace to rescind the proclamation of emergency, and vowed to challenge the proclamation in court.

He later said PH had decided to cooperate, adding however that the committee would not have executive powers but would only act in an advisory role.

He also said the suit he planned to file on the state of emergency was not to challenge the declaration, but to call for parliamentary sittings to be held throughout the period.