LETTER: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is back in action. About four months ago, the PKR president held a press conference, confidently saying that he had a "strong, formidable, convincing" majority to form a government and replace Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister.
Those words, however, did not hold true when the palace stated that he had no list of Members of Parliament. Yesterday, he returned with a letter-writing campaign to the palace.
The three-party Pakatan Harapan coalition leader had called on all MPs to send letters to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to revoke the declaration of emergency imposed on Tuesday. He claimed the proclamation was invalid and that he had prepared a draft letter to guide MPs.
The Port Dickson MP also said the Movement Control Order was sufficient to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead of declaring a state of emergency, Anwar stated that the Agong should have ordered for a parliamentary session to be convened by the end of this month.
His letter-writing campaign had drawn the ire of several legal experts who said it was "an unconstitutionally improper move coming from an opposition leader."
One of the lawyers was quoted as saying that the Agong, in declaring or revoking a state of emergency, is bound to act on the Cabinet's advice as stated in Article 40(1) of the constitution, while the power of the Agong to act at his own discretion is explained in Article 40(2).
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, in declaring a state of emergency to curb the spread of Covid-19, said he had consented for the emergency to last until Aug 1 or an earlier date if Covid-19 cases are reduced and stabilised.
The King viewed the virus spread as alarming and at such a critical stage that there was a need to declare an emergency. Anwar's campaign to end the emergency undoubtedly reflects his disrespect for the King.
Not only that, he seems to be unperturbed by the record high of 3,337 Covid-19 positive cases recorded yesterday, with 15 deaths.
Parliament will not sit until a time determined by the King. Throughout the duration of the state of emergency, no general election, state election or by-election will be held.
Anwar, with many others, including those from Umno, plus its president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, had badly wanted the 15th general election to be held as soon as possible. Why are they questioning the King's consent?
Aren't their acts tantamount to treason? They seem bent to intensify their attempts, regardless of the ravaging pandemic which has claimed hundreds of lives plus floods in several states.
Remember last October when the King rejected a proposal to declare a state of emergency to fight Covid-19? The opposition MPs hailed the rejection and were full of praises for the King.
They were saying that Muhyiddin no longer commanded a majority support in parliament and was using the pandemic as an excuse to stay in power. It is very clear that the opposition, including Umno leaders, will only extend their support to the palace if it suits their political will and agenda.
It is also reported that the government will set up a bipartisan independent special committee under an ordinance to advise the King if the emergency should be extended or ended earlier. It is said to be seeking three opposition candidates to sit in the committee, together with health experts.
This shows the government's commitment to have both sides of the political divide decide on the course of the emergency to pave the way for a general election.
LEE AH SENG
Kuala Sungai Baru, Melaka
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times