Don’t willfully undermine a democratic Malaysia

We, the undersigned members of the CSO Platform for Reform, are concerned with the news of a possible declaration of a state of emergency by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on 23 October 2020.

The timing and political context of the announcement cannot come at a worse time. Just this week, Malaysia has recorded the highest number of reported cases in a day, the largest number of COVID-19 hospitalization and the highest number of deaths reported in a day. At the same time, people of Sabah and Selangor are still struggling with the constant fear of the pandemic alongside the uncertain and constantly changing requirements for work and economic activities.

Malaysians are not deluded by the suggestion that a state of emergency is required to combat to COVID-19 pandemic. The Movement Control Order (MCO), despite its difficulty and challenge for the country, has proven to the world that Malaysia is able to fight off COVID-19 with the existing legal and enforcement mechanisms.

The only failure in Malaysia’s struggle against COVID-19 is the legal immunity enjoyed by politicians when they flout restrictions imposed to curb the transmission of COVID-19.

With clear evidence that a state of emergency is not necessary for combatting COVID-19, only one rational explanation remains in the minds of most Malaysians. The move by the Perikatan Nasional government will be interpreted and seen as a political maneuvering to secure control over the country for the survival of the administration and its leadership.

A state of emergency now would allow the Prime Minister and his administration an avenue to thwart the challenge posed against its leadership in the Parliament and avoid the Parliament’s scrutiny and debate with regards to the merits of the national budget that would be tabled in the upcoming Parliament session.

When the Prime Minister survived the vote to replace the Speaker in the Parliament by 111 to 109, it, at the very least, gave a degree of legitimacy to the administration. If the administration was to declare a state of emergency in a bid to evade the vote of no confidence in Parliament, the notion that Perikatan Nasional is an illegitimate government will be entrenched and derail any and all effort for a possible political compromise between all parties.

Furthermore, a budget passed by the current administration without the scrutiny and insight of Parliamentarians and by extension the public will unlikely be one that is able to best serve the economic needs of the nation. A prolific and robust debate in Parliament based on the interest of the nation is the only way to ensure that the proposed budget is one that can address the economic needs of the country and ensure that Malaysia would come out of the global pandemic stronger.

The declaration of emergency will serve as another act of betrayal by Muhyiddin Yassin and his political allies against Malaysians. Only this time, it would not only have betrayed the trust of the people in the 14th General Elections, it would also betray the sacrifice of the front liners who risked personal safety in order to protect the interest and wellbeing of the nation.

Malaysians from all walks of life have sacrificed to carry Malaysia where she is today. Front liners have sacrificed to keep COVID-19 at bay. Perikatan Nasional cannot be allowed to willfully undermine all that we have sacrificed for. A democratic Malaysia governed by the rule of law is what we fought for, and must be what remains regardless of the political disagreement Malaysians may have with one another.

Statement released and endorsed by:

1. SUARAM

2. Pusat KOMAS

3. Beyond Borders Malaysia

4. Childline Foundation

5. SAVE Rivers

6. Sabah Human Rights Centre

7. Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS)

8. Jaringan Tanah Hak Adat Bangsa Asal Sarawak (TAHABAS)

9. Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor (PSWS)

10. Persatuan Kebajikan Biji Sawi (Mustard Seed Soup Kitchen)

11. Community Action Network (CAN)

12. Cahaya Society

13. Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia (JKOASM)

14. KRYSS Network

15. Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)

16. Yayasan Chow Kit

17. Bersih 2.0

18. Aliran

19. Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM)

20. Society for Equality, Respect And Trust for All (SERATA)

21. All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)

22. Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM)

23. Freedom Film Network (FFN)

24. Pergerakan Tenaga Akademik Malaysia (GERAK)

25. KLSCAH Youth

26. Persatuan Komuniti Prihatin Selangor & KL

27. Society of Indigenous Peoples of Sarawak (SCRIPS)

28. MTUC Sarawak & Sarawak Bank Employee’s Union

29. Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusia (PROHAM)

30. Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH)

31. Advocates for Non-Discrimination and Access to Knowledge (ANAK)

32. Pertubuhan IKRAM Malaysia

33. MyPJ

34. G25

35. PACOS Trust

36. Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)

37. Association of Women Lawyers

38. Sisters in Islam

39. Sarawak Women for Women Society (SWWS)

40. Sabah Women’s Action-Resource Group (SAWO)

41. Kuen Cheng Alumni Association

42. The Selangor & Federal Territory Hainan Association

43. Sabah Reform Initiative (SARI)

44. Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM)

45. Gerakan Pembebasan Akademik-IPT

46. Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF)

47. LLG Cultural Development Center (LLG)

48. Dong Zong

49. Tindak Malaysia

50. Five Arts Center

51. Persatuan Pemangkin Daya Masyarakat (ROSE)

52. Malaysia Muda

53. Save Malaysia Stop Lynas

54. Pertubuhan Solidariti Hijau Kuantan

55. Persatuan Penduduk Galing Kuantan

56. Ideal

57. ENGAGE

58. Justice for Sisters

59. Baramkini

60. University of Malaya Association of New Youth

61. Voice of Youtharian

62. Five Arts Centre

63. ReformARTsi

64. YOUTAR

65. TARANY

66. Malaysia Youths and Students Evolution (Johor Branch)

67. Malaysia Youths and Students Evolution (Melaka HQ)

68. Student Progressive Front UUM

69. Student Unity Front UKM

70. UTM MJIIT-VOICES

71. New Student Movement Alliance

72. Our Journey

73. Persatuan Kesedaran dan Keadilan Iklim Malaysia (Klima Action Malaysia-KAMY)

74. Persatuan Pemangkin Kesedaran Sosial

75. The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4)

76. Jaffna Junction (Malaysia) **

77. National Early Childhood Intervention Council (NECIC)

78. Demokrat UM

79. Angkatan Mahasiswa UM

80. Kesatuan Mahasiswa Universiti Malaya

81. Sustainable Development Network Malaysia

82. Dayak National Congress

83. Global Bersih

84. Tenaganita